The ex-Bury player scored from close in, just as the visitors looked set to hold on for an unlikely point.
Stefan Scougall hit the bar as the Blades dominated before Jacob Mellis was sent off for a foul on Matt Done.
They had two second-half efforts cleared off the line and Leon Clarke had a goal disallowed before Greg Leigh was sent off for a second yellow.
The win kept United in second place in League One, six points off leaders Scunthorpe, while Bury are just two points off the relegation places after their ninth consecutive league defeat.
Match ends, Sheffield United 1, Bury 0.
Second Half ends, Sheffield United 1, Bury 0.
Goal!  Sheffield United 1, Bury 0. Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Paul Coutts.
Corner,  Sheffield United. Conceded by Antony Kay.
Attempt saved. Leon Clarke (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal.
Attempt saved. Caolan Lavery (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Corner,  Sheffield United. Conceded by Antony Kay.
Attempt missed. John Fleck (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Attempt missed. Paul Coutts (Sheffield United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right.
Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Paul Coutts (Sheffield United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Second yellow card to Greg Leigh (Bury) for a bad foul.
Foul by Greg Leigh (Bury).
Ethan Ebanks-Landell (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by James Vaughan (Bury).
Corner,  Bury. Conceded by Jack O'Connell.
Greg Leigh (Bury) is shown the yellow card.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match Leon Clarke (Sheffield United) because of an injury.
Foul by Leon Clarke (Sheffield United).
Antony Kay (Bury) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution, Bury. Neil Danns replaces Leon Barnett because of an injury.
Substitution, Sheffield United. Caolan Lavery replaces Matt Done.
Attempt saved. Matt Done (Sheffield United) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Corner,  Sheffield United. Conceded by Craig Jones.
Corner,  Sheffield United. Conceded by Craig Jones.
Attempt saved. Matt Done (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Attempt blocked. John Fleck (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Paul Coutts (Sheffield United).
Antony Kay (Bury) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt saved. Leon Clarke (Sheffield United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Corner,  Sheffield United. Conceded by Greg Leigh.
Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by James Vaughan (Bury).
Substitution, Sheffield United. Harry Chapman replaces Jake Wright.
Foul by Jack O'Connell (Sheffield United).
James Vaughan (Bury) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Ben Williams (Bury) is shown the yellow card.
Attempt missed. Matt Done (Sheffield United) header from the centre of the box is just a bit too high.
Foul by Paul Coutts (Sheffield United).
Sheffield United needed an injury-time goal from Ethan Ebanks-Landell to beat nine-man managerless Bury.