Five first-half goals, a disputed penalty,errors, two goalkeeping debuts and Michael Brown's dismissal all contributed to an extraordinary game at Turf Moor as Burnley edged out United by 3-2.
The Blades began with Whitlow alongside Morgan with Jagielka at right-back and Ndlovu partnering Allison in attack, but Burnley pressed first and Blake fired across goal after finding a bit of space in the penalty area.
Then, as early as the fourth minute, United had a let-off as Chaplow was played in completely free but his well-hit shot smacked against the crossbar.
The reprieve lasted only until the 13th minute with a goal conceded that will haunt Baxter because he appeared to have BLAKE's shot covered only for it to spin off his hands and into the empty net behind him.
Tonge, profiting from one of numerous knockdowns from Allison, forced Jensen into blocking his fierce shot with his legs, but United struck back on 25 minutes. There seemed little danger as Ndlovu squared the ball to MONTGOMERY but Burnley failed to react and the Scottish U21 International fired across Jensen into the far corner.
With the home side rocked on their heels the Blades hit them again to take the lead from a corner after 32 minutes. It was half cleared to McCall who fed Tonge and his cross was flighted into the net with his head by WHITLOW for his first United goal.
Just four minutes later the ball was in the net again, this time courtesy of MOORE's header from Blake's free-kick although United would have been disappointed to see it beat Baxter into the corner from around 18 yards.
A great run by Tonge at the heart of the defence created a good chance for Allison but he shot tamely at Jensen, and then on the stroke of the break another disputed penalty decision went against Warnock's men.
There seemed no obvious foul as Morgan challenged McGregor and the referee didn't blow until he saw the linesman's flag and BLAKE clinically sent Baxter the wrong way.
As the half-time whistle blew referee Barry was approached by United players still questioning the decision.
United took off the hapless Baxter and brought on Fettis for his debut but he saw little of the ball as Burnley were pinned back and Tonge again forced Jensen into a good save. The big goalkeeper then got behind Montgomery's volley and dashed out to nick the ball from Ndlovu's feet.
On the hour the promising reply was shattered as Brown, trying to make up for miscuing a volley, went in hard on Blake and referee Barry, right on the spot, immediately showed the red card.
Incredibly, for the rest of the game, United had control and Burnley nerves, on and off the field, were shredded as the Blades took the game to them.
Warnock made changes to personnel with Morgan, at least, limping from an earlier clash, but United still forced the pace. Ndlovu was denied again but Tonge seemed destined to set up the equaliser with a great run to the byline but his cross for Peschisolido was scrambled clear.
United had one last chance in injury time but Tonge's free-kick was deflected off the wall for a corner and the Clarets held out against a gallant United effort.
BURNLEY: Jensen, Roche, Camara, Little, Blake, Moore, Grant, McGregor, Gnohere, Chadwick (Weller h-t, West 86)), Chaplow.Subs: Weller, West, O'Neill, Pilkington.
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UNITED: Baxter (Fettis h-t), Jagielka, Morgan (Rankine 71), Wright, McCall, Montgomery, Whitlow, Allison (Peschisolido 71), Brown, Ndlovu, Tonge.
Subs: Peschisolido, Rankine, Page, Boussatta, Fettis.
