The Scunthorpe boss saw his side beaten for the sixth consecutive game on Tuesday night but he believes he will be able to field a much stronger side for the visit of the South Yorkshire hotshots.
Knill told The Iron Player: “We go into the weekend strong in my opinion but I am hoping by the weekend that we will be even stronger (in terms of making signings)."
The former Bury manager believes that if the Iron squad play with the same high intensity and belief they will be able to give one of the league favourites for promotion a run for their money.
He added: “I thought the players gave that on Tuesday and that is all you can ask really, if we get that again off the players – I know we will give Sheffield United a game.”
The Iron boss will be able to call upon the services of midfielder Josh Walker, who has served a one game suspension following his dismissal against Hartlepool.
Midfielders Andy Barcham and Jimmy Ryan were left on the bench for Tuesday night’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after they featured in all of the Iron’s games this season.
“I am hoping Josh will be fresh as well after he missed Tuesday night, so that is another positive," he stated.
“We thought it was going to be best that if we gave the energy players a rest they would be fit, ready to go for another game.”
Knill confirmed that the only enforced change he made for the Notts County game was Walker, and he used the match as an opportunity to give some other players an opportunity to stake their claim for a place in the starting XI.
He continued: “We just changed the team, I wanted to give some of the other guys a chance.
"I wanted to play Jordan Keegan, give him a game and see how he did, that was the main reason.
"We have had a lot of games recently so I thought it would not have hurt to swap the team around a bit.”
The Iron’s opponents this weekend, Sheffield United, are unbeaten in this league campaign, having won two and drawn two and Knill believes they are one of the best sides in the league.
He said: “They are good aren’t they? But to be honest they have lost some good players as well.
"They are a strong side and probably the biggest club in the league so it will be a big test.
"All we can ask for is endeavour and enthusiasm which will go a long way.”
See much more from Alan Knill, Andy Barcham and Josh Walker on The Iron Player.