Patrick Roberts missed a penalty for Sunderland, who are now winless in six games.

Both sides were reduced to 10 men late in the first half with Sunderland’s Chris Mepham, followed by United defender Harry Souttar. Mepham was ruled to have denied Tyrese Campbell a goalscoring opportunity, fouling the striker on the edge of the penalty area.

The numbers were level again in time added on at the end of the half when Souttar was shown a second yellow card after needlessly hauling over Wilson Isidor.

Both sides of 10 men pushed for the winner after the break and it finally arrived thanks to Davies’ persistence and powerful finish past Anthony Patterson.

Davies came off the bench to snatch the point on 83 minutes with low effort after winning possession inside the Sunderland box.

Sunderland had a huge chance to get off to a flying start at Bramall Lane but Michael Cooper got down low to his left to save Roberts’ spot-kick.

The defeat leaves Sunderland still in fourth but now five points off the top of the table.

The Blades move three points clear of Leeds, who can retake top spot when they travel to Blackburn on Saturday.