Player Ratings: Sheffield United 3-1 Leicester
Starting 2026 with a win, and some positive ratings from Riley.
Riley Roberts
Michael Cooper - 4
Pretty much had the day off until the 92nd minute, when he let in an effort he probably could’ve done better with, though I will give him the fact it took a nick off a defender.
Femi Seriki - 8
A top class performance, capped off with a well deserved assist. So much of our attacking came down that right hand side and Seirki was, as always, a huge part in that as he overlapped well to receive in dangerous areas throughout. Always looking likely to have a big moment.
Japhet Tanganga - 8
A first Blades goal for Japhet Tanganga, and a good performance to boot. There may have been a major off day at Wrexham on Boxing Day, but aside from that, he’s looking more and more dominant as the season progresses
Tyler Bindon - 5
Was tested on a couple of occasions where he gave away cheap fouls, but generally solid in a defensive unit that barely gave up an opportunity.
Sam McCallum - 7
Often used as an outlet in the game due to his superb leap, and he did one good job at that, with a number of his knockdowns/flick-ons leading to United sustaining possession, and pressure in the Leicester half. A couple of dangerous set piece deliveries were rewarded with an assist just to top it off.
Jairo Riedewald - 7
If you’d have told me that the midfield partnership that started, and were both subbed, at West Brom would be able to produce the collective performances they have in the last 2 games I’d have been surprised, but they’re doing just that at the minute, with Riedewald’s excellent reading of the game a big factor.
Djibril Soumare - 8
Who on earth is this guy? Prior to the Stoke game, Soumare’s last 3 starts had all been in poor to abysmal team performances and it would’ve been hard to argue that there was no correlation. These past 2, though, we’re seeing a physical specimen who covers all the ground in the world and can marauder through the centre at ease. Long may it last.
Andre Brooks - 8
Had a few moments during the first half especially where his reluctance to use his right foot slowed down an attack, but was always looking to make something happen, and that he did just after half time, with his ever so impressive contribution to that 2nd goal.
Callum O’Hare - 6
Didn’t quite have the same impact on the game as others, but was in the right place at the right time to add the 3rd goal, and actually came from quite far back to get there. Seeing him busting a gut to get on the end of a cross at 2-0 after 88 mins really does sum up Callum O’Hare.
Patrick Bamford - 5
Had a couple of physical tussles with Leicester’s Okoli which saw him penalised, but managed a couple efforts early on . Probably came off at the right time.
Tom Cannon - 7
Made 2 runs in behind early on which led to a corner and a throw in, which already had me impressed, but his neat finish into the bottom corner to double our lead was the real moment of joy. This may actually have been his best Blades performance.
Average rating - 6.64
Ratings system:
0 – Reserved for anyone who has a wayward effort at goal smash me in the face, unlikely to ever happen.
1 – Worst of the worst. Saved for disastrous performances, with result-altering mistakes.
2 – A terrible performance. Performances where a player offers very little and has many unsuccessful actions, ultimately proving to be a major detriment to the team’s overall performance.
3 – A bad performance. Negative contribution. Like a 2, just a bit less rubbish.
4 – A below-average performance. Not necessarily having a negative impact on the game; it could just be a player who struggled to impact the game at all.
5 – The baseline rating. All players go into a game starting on a 5 — it’s bang average, given out for an unremarkable yet solid performance, for a postman delivering the post.
6 – A decent performance. A player who gets a 6 has positively contributed to the game, and at the very least has had some impressive moments while being generally solid outside of them.
7 – A good performance. Awarded for players who had a noticeable positive impact on the game.
8 – A very good performance. A player who made significant contributions to the outcome of the game with their performance and consistently displayed a high level throughout.
9 – An outstanding performance. To score as high as a 9, a player needs to be dominant throughout the match, performing at a level well above the standard and/or making multiple game-changing contributions.
10 – A perfect 10, unlikely to ever see the light of day as nobody has a flawless game. For me to even think about giving out a 10 it would probably have to be a player doing something historic or unheard of.
Pretty much agree with all of this. That Brooks/Seriki partnership on the right flank is really summat. Still disappointed with Coops, somehow. Should have got a hand to a shot from well outside the box - slight deflection or not.