Sheffield United 2023/24 season preview: Key players, summer transfers, squad numbers & predictions
- Sheff Utd back in Premier League after second-place finish in Championship
- Blades squad weakened by exit of 2022/23 star Iliman Ndiaye
- Back in England's top flight after being relegated in 2020/21
By 90min Staff
Sheffield United return to the Premier League for the 2023/24 campaign having been relegated from England's top flight two years ago.
While they were previously primed to cause upsets under Chris Wilder, the Blades have endured a tough summer so far with star midfielders Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge sold. Club stalwarts Bill Sharp, Enda Stevens and Jack O'Connell have also been moved on.
There might be pessimism from fans after a tough summer in the transfer market, but having secured promotion from the Championship in April before sealing second place behind Burnley, there is still some quality at manager Paul Heckingbottom's disposal.
Here's 90min's preview of Sheffield United's 2023/24 season.
Sheffield United's performance last five seasons
Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
2022/23 | 2nd (Championship) | SF | R1 |
2021/22 | 5th (Championship) | R3 | R3 |
2020/21 | 20th (Premier League) | QF | R2 |
2019/20 | 9th (Premier League) | QF | R3 |
2018/19 | 2nd (Championship) | R3 | R1 |
Summer transfers
Ins:
- Yasser Larouci (DF) - Troyes - loan
- Anis Slimane (MF) - Brondby - undisclosed
- Benie Traore (FW) - Hacken - undisclosed
- Auston Trusty (DF) - Arsenal - undisclosed
- Vinicius Souza (MF) - Lommel - undisclosed
Outs:
- George Broadbent (MF) - Doncaster - undisclosed
- Billy Sharp (FW) - released
- Jack O'Connell (DF) - released
- Enda Stevens (DF) - Stoke - free transfer
- Kyron Gordon (DF) - released
- Iliman Ndiaye (FW) - Marseille - undisclosed
- Harry Boyes (DF) - Wycombe - loan
- Oliver Arblaster (MF) - Port Vale - loan
- Finley Potter (DF) - Barnet - loan
- Dylan Wharton (GK) - Gainsborough Trinity - loan
- Sander Berge (MF) - Burnley - £15m
Squad numbers
*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window
Number | Name |
|---|---|
1 | Adam Davies |
2 | George Baldock |
4 | John Fleck |
5 | Auston Trusty |
6 | Chris Basham |
7 | Rhian Brewster |
8 | Sander Berge |
9 | Oli McBurnie |
11 | Benie Traore |
12 | John Egan |
13 | Max Lowe |
15 | Anel Ahmedhodzic |
16 | Oliver Norwood |
17 | Ismaila Coulibaly |
18 | Wes Foderingham |
19 | Jack Robinson |
20 | Jayden Bogle |
23 | Ben Osborn |
25 | Anis Slimane |
27 | Yasser Larouci |
32 | William Osula |
33 | Rhys Norrington-Davies |
36 | Daniel Jebbison |
37 | Jordan Amissah |
*Vinicius Souza has yet to be allocated a squad number.
Key players
Star player
The departures of some star performers will ramp up the pressure on Anel Ahmedhodzic to perform in his first Premier League season.
Enda Stevens and Jack O'Connell are no longer in the picture but Ahmedhodzic still has the reliable John Egan next to him in United's back three. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international may have to curb his desire to get forward to avoid the Blades getting exposed at the back, but six goals in league action last term suggests he has the quality to contribute in the final third.
One to watch
When United faced Manchester City in the FA Cup semi finals last season, Daniel Jebbison benefitted from both James McAtee and Tommy Doyle's ineligibility to face their parent club.
Jebbison and the Blades had a tough afternoon at Wembley but the 20-year-old forward has garnered plenty of interest from some big teams in Europe including Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen.
2023/24 kits
Home kit
Away kit
Third kit
Premier League prediction
United's success last season was built around some key attacking talent. Ndiaye smashed in 14 Championship goals ahead of second top scorer Oli McBurnie on 13, while former loan stars McAtee (nine) and Tommy Doyle (three) also chipped in.
However, the squad rebuild has been poor so far, with United now weaker than they were during their successful promotion-winning season.
Optimism around the fan base is minimal, with many expecting a swift return to the Championship.
Sheffield United 2023/24 Premier League prediction - 20th
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