Harry Redknapp admitted that he “hasn’t a clue about where to look” for January transfer additions, after his QPR side were deservedly beaten 3-0 by Sheffield United in the FA Cup third round yesterday.

The Queens Park Rangers manager says he is only “looking to try and get a loan or two” though Redknapp conceded he had “no idea of who you can find at this time of year who can come and change your team.”

Redknapp defended making seven changes to his starting line-up by saying: “We had to make changes because this was our fourth game in 10 days.” But he admitted that Sheffield United “looked sharp and thoroughly deserved the win.”

The Blades claimed a cup upset won through a Jamal Campbell-Ryce brace and an opening goal from Marc McNulty, adding the R’s to West Ham and Southampton as recent conquests. Tottenham Hotspur should be wary in the upcoming League Cup semi-final.

Sheffield United first-team coach Chris Morgan said the aim was to bring the two-legged tie “back to Bramall Lane with a game still on, as then we will have a game on.”

Morgan also explained that converting these performances into automatic promotion form in League One is not simple. “Teams come to Bramall Lane and make it difficult for us, as we do when competing with the top sides,” he said.

On this evidence his team have every chance — the Blades passed the ball confidently, primarily through impressive 17-year-old midfielder Louis Reed, who assisted both the first two goals.

A measured through ball allowed McNulty to score, while a corner fell to Campbell-Ryce, who claimed a second in stoppage time, slotting home intelligently after Leroy Fer’s misdirected header.

The United players and 2,700-strong raucous away support were a credit to the club and Nigel Clough has now lost just two FA Cup ties in 18 with Sheffield United.

The Blades have beaten five Premier League sides across the last year, while the disappointing R’s have won just two of their last 23 matches in the FA Cup.