It will be part 1 of what Argyle hope to be a Sheffield double. On Saturday the Pilgrims face Utd at Bramall Lane.
The victory has jumped Argyle up to 9th place in the Championship.
MacLean, a big money signing from Cardiff had not started since August but Sturrock brought him in to hopefully redress the Ipswich defeat and it worked a charm.
MacLean didn't celebrate as he scored the goal against his former club.
Argyle have now done the league double over Wednesday.