Pre-Season Preview – Sheffield United

The Blades had a fairy-tale promotion last term, and will look to maintain their Premier League status in 2019/20.

Chris Wilder, often hailed as a miracle worker in the Steel city, went one step further in returning the Blades to the promised land for the first time since 2007.

They finished second behind Norwich as goals from Billy Sharp, steel in midfield from Chris Basham and Olliver Norwood, and defiant defending from Jack O’Connell made sure they eclipsed Leeds in securing an automatic promotion spot.

Transfers

It’s been an interesting strategy deployed by Wilder in the transfer market, with their transfer record being broken three times thus far. Although it has been for players who it may seem would be more suited to the Championship.

Luke Freeman and Callum Robinson have a combined zero appearances in the top flight, with the former spending part of his youth career at Arsenal.

Lys Mousset, the clubs record signing at £10m, hardly featured for Bournemouth in his three-year spell at Dean Court, scoring only three league goals in 58 appearances.

They eventually broke their record once again and potentially for the final time this summer with the £20m deal for Swansea youngster Oli McBurnie, who will look to bolster the Blades striking options even further.

Ravel Morrison is a sad tale of wasted talent so far. Maybe he can reignite it at the Blades after a spell in Sweden with Ostersunds.

And finally the romantic re-signing of Phil Jagielka, who returns to the Blades 12 years after joining Everton. He will bring much-needed Premier League experience to a relatively unacquainted side.

First Six

10th August – Bournemouth (A)

A battle of the young English managers, Sheff United’s first fixture back in the top flight is away at the Vitality Stadium.

It should prove a tough yet technical tie, with Bournemouth probably just scraping through after first-game nerves for the Blades.

18th August – Crystal Palace (H)

Wilder’s men face Roy Hodgson’s Palace in the first Premier League fixture at Bramall Lane this decade. They have a tough ask but I back them to get over the line.

24th August – Leicester City (H)

Another tough home fixture facing Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester, the Blades will have a tough task defeating the flying Foxes. An upset could be on the cards and that would be an ideal early-season boost for Chris Wilder.

31st August – Chelsea (A)

The first of the big six in their fixture list, Wilder’s men will find it tough to get anything at Stamford Bridge. However, with Lampard changing the commodity of Chelsea in 2019/20, who knows what could happen?

14th September – Southampton (H)

Ralph Hassenhuttl will look to get this one over the line early on in a potential relegation six-pointer, but Wilder and co. will be a tough ask at Bramall Lane. I’d just plump for the Blades.

21st September – Everton (A)

With new signings bolstering their pursuit of the top six yet again, Everton will hope to get a comfortable win on their travels at the back-end of September. Unfortunately for the side from the Steel City I can see nothing but a Toffees win.

Wilder defiant that Blades will improve

“We’re still integrating players into the group, but they’ll get better and as long as we keep together and keep the spirit high, we’ll be okay. There’ll be some down days, there was a bit of a down day at Reims, but we go again.

“I believe we’ll get better through the season. We’re integrating players pretty quickly, because there’s been quite a turnover in terms of who we’ve brought in. But they’ll get better, and we’ll get better too.

“We’re ready,” Wilder continued. “We’ve been ready for a couple of weeks now.

“We’ve had to go through the process of pre-season and the games have been good. Our season starts this weekend and we’re looking forward to it. We’ll be ready.

“There’s great excitement around the place and we’ve had great support throughout pre-season from our fans. We’ve now got a brilliant season ahead of us, with all the players fit and raring to go.

“I’ve got some tough decisions to make. I know that, and the players know that. Hopefully, we get them right.”

Expectations

The Blades know that they may be in for a relegation dogfight this season. But having only been League One Champions two seasons ago, they can only acknowledge what a fantastic trajectory the club is on at the moment.

There is no reason why they can’t survive, but they will need every ounce of energy, teamwork and ability the squad and Wilder can muster.

Expected starting XI

Henderson,

O’Connell, Jagielka, Basham

Baldock, Fleck, Norwood, Stevens,

Freeman

Sharp, McBurnie