​Will Sheffield United Name A Strong Lineup in the Cup?Sheffield United begin their competitive campaign on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Mansfield Town to Bramall Lane in the first round of the EFL Cup.While cup competitions often provide managers with the opportunity to rotate their squad, this year’s opening fixture presents Chris Wilder with an interesting dilemma. Does he hand opportunities to fringe players and youngsters, or does he name his strongest possible side to ensure his team head into next weekend’s Championship opener against Birmingham City with momentum behind them?It’s a question that carries even more weight given what happened 12 months ago. Last season could hardly have started any worse for the Blades. August proved to be a miserable month as they lost all five of their opening fixtures in all competitions under Ruben Selles, managing just two goals while conceding nine. Confidence quickly evaporated, and the poor start ultimately set the tone for a difficult campaign that never truly recovered, even despite Wilder’s best efforts.Blades in Pre-seasonPre-season has offered plenty of encouragement. United have looked organised, physically sharp and generally difficult to break down. There have been positive victories over Halifax Town, Levante, Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United, while a goalless draw away to German side VfL Bochum provided another useful test against strong opposition.However, there was one concern that emerged from the final friendly. Despite controlling large spells of the second half against Bochum, Sheffield United lacked a clinical edge in the final third. Gustavo Hamer continued to create opportunities, Callum O’Hare found pockets of space and were denied a wonderful goal and Tom Cannon worked tirelessly up front, but clear-cut chances were limited and the Blades couldn’t find the breakthrough.This is the strongest argument for naming a near full-strength side against Mansfield. Giving key players 60 or 70 minutes in a meaningful fixture could prove invaluable ahead of the Championship curtain-raiser against Birmingham.Should Sheffield United Go Full Strength in the Cup?If United were to produce an impressive performance and score a few goals against Mansfield, it would provide a welcome boost heading into what promises to be a demanding Championship campaign.The memories of last August should also remain fresh within the dressing room. Five consecutive defeats left United chasing confidence before autumn had even arrived, something Wilder will be determined to avoid this time around.Momentum can be a powerful thing in football. A convincing victory over the Stags would not guarantee a successful season, but it could help establish the standards and belief required before the Championship gets underway.With Birmingham City waiting next weekend, Sunday afternoon is about more than simply progressing to the next round of the EFL Cup. It is an opportunity to build confidence, sharpen co