Patrick Bamford had looked like stealing the headlines with a well-taken early double for the Blades but the hosts powered back to claim their first win in six Sky Bet Championship outings. With his short-term contract due to expire on New Year's Day, Bamford put himself firmly in the shop window as he scored either side of a Tyler Bindon own goal.
Then a controversial report emerged. United's owners, COH, had supposedly contacted Sheffield Wednesday's administrators to make an enquiry. It's an explosive story, leaving everyone to wonder if COH were checking in on a potential merger plan. Some form of comment was necessary from a group who have not done a single press conference since taking over. A club address emerged a day later.
Chris Wilder was sent off for kicking a ball that hit a supporter in the crowd as Sheffield United threw away the lead in a 2-1 defeat to Southampton at Bramall Lane. The rock-bottom Blades went ahead in Tuesday's contest courtesy of a fine Tyrese Campbell opener, and their luck appeared to be in when Adam Armstrong skied a first-half injury-time penalty over the crossbar.
We felt like we weren't too far away and there's been some good things coming and a lot of it came out tonight. We've worked really hard with Jaden in pre-season and he's worked really hard as well. There had been some good signs but without the end-product. We know how hard the season is. It's good to get the first win but it's very much feet on the floor.
Sheffield United's Gus Hamer could seal a loan move with an obligation to buy worth 15-20m before the end of the summer transfer window, FourFourTwo understands. The reigning Championship Player of the Year has remained at Bramall Lane throughout the summer, despite prior interest from the likes of Leeds United and PSV Eindhoven. Sheffield United missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season, defeated by Sunderland at Wembley Stadium in the Championship play-off final.
Sheffield United and Sunderland meet at Wembley for the Championship Play-off Final on May 24, aiming for promotion to the Premier League after impressive semi-final victories.
Sheffield United responded to the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion with a solid 2-0 victory over Stoke City, reinforcing their position in the play-offs.
