Sheffield United & Middlesbrough player ratings: A poor mark for red-carded Blades man and some high ones for Boro

Leon Wobschall
By Leon Wobschall

Football Writer

Published 9th Feb 2026, 22:04 GMT

HERE are the Sheffield United and Middlesbrough player ratings from Monday night’s Championship game at Bramall Lane.

Sheffield United

Cooper: Kept busy. Loose kicking on occasions. 6

Seriki: A dangerous raider in first half, especially. 7

Sheffield United's Joe Rothwell (left) appeals to an official on the touchline after being shown a red card during the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire.placeholder image
Sheffield United's Joe Rothwell (left) appeals to an official on the touchline after being shown a red card during the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Photo: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Tanganga: Got through plenty of work. 6

Bindon: Struggled at times. 5

Burrows: Was clearly wary of Whittaker. 5

Arblaster: Second best in the first half to Hackney, McGree and co. 4

Middlesbrough's Riley McGree celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.placeholder image
Middlesbrough's Riley McGree celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Peck: Wild with an early chance. 5

Brooks: Had his moments. Went close before Boro’s opener. 6

O’Hare: Nothing wrong with his effort and emptied the tank. 6

Hamer: A couple of trademark curlers tested Brynn. 6

Bamford: Wilder needed his big game players. Missed a big chance in first half but finished well to get hosts back in it. 7

Substitutes: Rothwell (Arblaster HT). Dismissed for a wild challenge on Browne on his debut. 4

Campbell (O’Hare 67) 5.

Phillips (Peck 67) 7.

Hjelde (Burrows 84).

Not used: A Davies, Cannon, Hoever, Ogbene, McGuinness.

Middlesbrough

Brynn: Denied Hamer twice in opening period. Stayed safe. 7

Brittain: Booked. Not at his best, but still contributed. 6

Ayling: Had a good battle with his ex-Leeds team-mate Bamford. Strong and showed his experience. 8

Malanda: Calm in possession. Dominant. 8

Targett: Had issues with Seriki at times. Joined in a fair bit going forward in Boro’s times of feast. 6

Browne: In fine form of late. On the receiving end of a poor challenge from Rothwell. 8

Morris: Part of a dominant midfield show for large parts. 8

McGree: Best player on pitch in first half. Set up first and scored second. 8

Hackney: Produced some classy moments. An elegant player to watch. 8

Whittaker: Involved a fair bit and went close in first half. A go-to man for spells. 7

Conway: After missing a big early chance, made amends with a clinical opener. Immense work-rate. 7

Substitutes: Gilbert (McGree 67) 6.

Strelec (Whittaker 78) 6.

Fry (Conway 78) 6.

Sarmiento (Morris 87).

Not used: Wildsmith, Munroe, Sene, Hansen, Ibeh.

Related topics:BoroMiddlesbroughBladesBramall Lane