A solitary second-half strike from Brazilian winger Ronald proved to be enough on an afternoon where the Swans should and could have been out of sight against an out-of-sorts Blades.
Head coach Alan Sheehan, though, will not mind with the Swans showing plenty of positives beating a highly-fancied side for promotion.
The Swans came into the match against last year’s play-off finalists, United, looking for a response to last weekend’s disappointing opening day defeat to Middlesbrough on Teesside.
A solitary goal would be enough for Boro on the day as Sheehan’s side would be wasteful in possession and lack a cutting edge in the final third in the 1-0 loss.
A convincing midweek Carabao Cup victory over Crawley would boost confidence, but a matchup against one of the Championship favourites would be a different proposition for the Swans, winless in their last six meetings against the Blades.
Back in front of the home support under Sheehan, the Swans have turned the Swansea.com Stadium into somewhat of a fortress with just a solitary defeat against promoted Burnley the only home reverse under the Irishman in the last seven league fixtures (W5 D1).
The Swans would make one change from the opening day loss, with new loan signing Malick Yalcouye slotting straight into midfield for Jay Fulton.
Visitors Sheffield United’s start to the season would not have been how new boss Ruben Selles had envisioned. A 4-1 hammering at home to Bristol City, followed up by an early exit to the cup by newly-promoted Birmingham City, leaving the Blades reeling.
Looking to change their fortunes in south Wales, the Spaniard welcomed back captain Jack Robinson to the heart of defence, whilst there was a first start for holding midfielder Djibril Soumare on loan from Portuguese outfit Braga.
In a frantic opening, it would be the home side who would start the brighter of the two sides in front of a vocal home support. Ronald showing good skill on the right before feeding Josh Tymon on the edge of the box. The former Stoke full back angling a low drive inches away from visiting goalkeeper Michael Cooper’s woodwork and despairing dive.
The Swans would show plenty of endeavor in the first period and would come close with both Liam Cullen and Ronald left thinking they should have done better with half chances, whilst United, without testing Lawrence Vigouroux, would be dangerous on the counter attack.
The home side started the second half in the same vein as the first on the front foot. Tymon’s free kick causing problems in the Blades penalty area, seeing both Burgess and Key snatching at efforts. The former, seeing his effort blocked, before the latter’s effort would fall harmlessly wide.
Sheehan would shake things up at the mid-point bringing new signings Melker Widell and Zeidane Inoussa into the action, a positive move which would open up more space in the final third.
Winger Inoussa, involved immediately, linking well with Cullen and Ronald before the Brazilian would lash an effort from the edge of the area into the back of the net to break the deadlock.
Widell would then come close to extending the advantage minutes later. The Swedish youngster would play a clever one-two with Cullen before firing a low effort tantalisingly wide.
Ronald then had a contender for miss of the season, side-footing inexplicably wide from a yard out after as the Swans looked to close the game out.
It wouldn’t matter in the end, though, as the Swans would hold out to claim all three points.
Swansea City XI
Lawrence Vigouroux, Josh Tymon, Josh Key, Ben Cabango (captain), Cameron Burgess, Gonçalo Franco, Malik Yalcouye (Melker Widell 61), Ronald (Jay Fulton 89), Ethan Galbraith, Eom Ji Sung (Zeidane Inoussa 62), Liam Cullen (Bobby Wales 90).
Sheffield United XI
Micheal Cooper, Femi Seriki, Harrison Burrows, Tyler Bindon, Jack Robinson (captain), Djibril Soumare (Andre Brooks 76), Sydie Peck, Louie Barry (Ryan One 76), Callum O’Hare, Gustavo Hamer (captain), Tyrese Campbell (Tom Cannon 61).
[Lead image: Swansea City FC]
