Both fanbases carry hope and, most importantly, expectation of competing for a place in the Premier League this term after enduring mediocre campaigns.
Two clubs steeped in history having previously graced the top flight, a new season offers fresh optimism after campaigns which petered out in the latter stages.
The Birmingham City train appeared destined to keep rolling following a record-breaking Sky Bet League One title triumph but suffered from inconsistency despite a strong end to the season, while Chris Wilder rescued the Blades following a dire start with a mid-table finish.
However, the game failed to live up to such promise. The two cancelled each other out for the most part, with the Blues opting for defensive stability, which resulted in limited chances being mustered in the opening period.
The subsequent 45 minutes were more of the same, although Birmingham got more of a foothold in the contest with a handful of half-chances, but neither side on the balance of play deserved to take maximum points.
Story of the match
The hosts made two alterations from their comfortable Carabao Cup triumph over Mansfield Town, with Romelle Donovan starting against his former employers and Sam McCallum returning at left-back.
Chris Davies remained unchanged from their victory at Swansea City, with latest addition Max Bird making the bench following his move from divisional rivals Bristol City.
The raucous Bramall Lane crowd spurred Sheffield United on in a fast start and were targeting the right flank in the opening exchanges, Femi Seriki picking out Patrick Bamford with a pinpoint delivery but he couldn’t meet the cross.
A more conservative Birmingham approach helped them to withstand the early pressure and they felt incensed when they were denied a penalty just after 20 minutes on the clock.
A succession of corners resulted in the ball falling to Phil Neumann who was brought down by McCallum, but referee Gavin Ward was unmoved.
It was the right-hand side combination which nearly paid dividends moments later for the Blades as academy graduate Seriki, who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term, picked out Bamford again but his spectacular acrobatic effort struck the side-netting.
Birmingham’s record on the road last season was a key factor behind them missing out on the play-offs, boasting the third-worst record away from home with just five victories.
They were determined to change that narrative and nearly headed in at the break with the advantage as Bright Osayi-Samuel’s curling effort from the edge of the box whistled past the post but lacked the power and precision to test Michael Cooper.
Blues dominate in second half
Carlos Vicente, a £7 million signing from Deportivo Alaves in January, will be looking to hit the ground running in his first full season with the Blues and crafted a half-chance five minutes into the second period.
The ball fell to the edge of the box and the 27-year-old was on hand to take aim, despite the oncoming Bamford, but his deflected strike went wide of the mark.
He had an even better chance to draw first blood minutes later as Jhon Solis threaded an eye-of-the-needle pass through to Vicente who chose to cut the ball back, only for Japhet Tanganga to intervene with a vital sliding challenge.
The pendulum was now firmly in Birmingham’s favour and a lovely move of intricate passes between August Priske and Seung-Ho Paik resulted in the latter providing for Jay Stansfield whose strike brought Cooper into action with a fine stop down to his left.
Sheffield United had barely laid a glove on the visitors in the second half, perhaps lacking the creative spark of Gustavo Hamer who returned to Coventry City this week, and Wilder turned to Tahith Chong and Tyrese Campbell from the bench to provide an added impetus in the final third.
They crafted the best opening of the game with 74 minutes on the clock as Callum O’Hare executed a perfectly-weighted through ball for Bamford to get on the end of but James Beadle came to Birmingham’s aid with a superb reflex save from close range.
What comes next
Both managers introduced forward-thinking players in search of the breakthrough but they settled for a point apiece, with Sheffield United travelling to Swansea next week while Birmingham host Bristol City.
