As the highest ranked team in the competition, it couldn't have got any tougher in terms of opposition for United at this early first-round stage.
The Blades kicked off life in the Championship on Saturday with a home defeat at the hands of Birmingham City.
The visitors scored with their first shot on target on the night, and they defended well to make it a harsh introduction to the new level of football for the hosts.
One of the biggest tasks for newly-appointed Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic through the summer was to keep the squad together following their relegation from the top-flight.
The former Watford and Fulham boss succeeded Chris Wilder in the Bramall Lane hotseat and was greeted with the immediate news that keeper Aaron Ramsdale and Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge were rumoured to be targets for Premier League clubs.
The 52-year-old Serb had taken both of his previous teams to promotion from the Championship and inherited a squad that includes former Liverpool prospect Rhian Brewster, who moved to Sheffield in October 2020 for a club record deal worth a reported total of £23.5m.
Phil Jagielka and John Lundstram departed when their contracts ended and Alan Knill, former assistant to Wilder, also left the building a fortnight ago when an agreement was reached by mutual consent.
Far too many to choose from to pick just one, so we're taking a punt on it being a strong side and a very difficult test for the Cumbrians.
This game is not available to watch on our iFollow streaming service due to competition restrictions.
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| Carlisle wins | Draws | Sheff Utd wins | |
| League | 8 | 5 | 11 |
| FA Cup | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 9 | 5 | 12 |
Our last meeting with the Blades was in March 2014 at Bramall Lane. The Blues created numerous chances, with Lee Miller and James Berrett going close, but a strike on 28 minutes from Jose Baxter was enough to secure the home win.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
The trip up to Brunton Park that season was another tight affair with both teams creating chances through the 90 minutes. Carlisle edged the encounter with a solitary strike from Matt Robson.
Watch the highlights from that game here:
Referee - James Oldham
Assistant Referee - Daniel Woodward
Assistant Referee - Anthony Da Costa
Fourth Official - Andrew Kitchen
Observer - Gary Kellett
Our referee for this fixture is Mr James Oldham.
We saw James at Walsall in January 2021 where goals from Omari Patrick and Josh Kayode secured a 2-0 away win, with the game being completed just in the nick of time as snow started to fall. Aaron Hayden, Jack Armer and Taylor Charters were booked for the Blues.
Mr Oldham was in charge of our home game against Walsall in January 2020. Byron Webster, Stefan Scougall and Mike Jones had their names taken with no goals bagged.
He was at Brunton Park for his first ever Football League game as the man in the middle for our 2019/20 season opener against Crawley Town. Harry McKirdy and Stefan Scougall scored in the first half, either side of a net bulger from Beryly Lubula, and that was it for the goals as United claimed a 2-1 win. Byron Wesbter went in the book for the home side and Lewis Young was sent off late in the day for the Red Devils.
We saw Mr Oldham again for our first-round Emirates FA Cup meeting with Dulwich Hamlet in November 2019. Olufela Olomola, Harry McKirdy (2) and Mike Jones bagged for the Blues, and Byron Webster and Ryan Loft had their names taken as Carlisle recorded a 4-1 victory.
Mr Oldham ended his time as an official with the National League at Wembley with the play-off final between Salford City and AFC Fylde in May 2019.
| Adult | £15 |
| Senior (60+) | £10 |
| Young adults (18-21) | £10 |
| Student (with valid NUS) | £10 |
| Junior (17 and under) | £5 |
Tickets will NOT be available from Sheffield United on the night of the game - you MUST purchase in advance from our ticket office.
Automated turnstiles are in operation throughout the stadium - to minimise queuing, supporters should have their tickets ready as they approach the turnstiles and insert the barcode into the reader.
There is a limited amount of disabled parking available - please contact Jon Helliwell on 07811 304 005 for more information.
Dates of sale
| Date | Time |
| Mon 9 Aug | 10am – 5pm |
Methods of purchase: