Sheffield United are embarking on a huge summer after they were beaten in the Championship play-off final in May.
Tommy Watson stunned the Blades with a 95th minute winner at Wembley for Sunderland, sending the Black Cats to the Premier League for the first time since 2017.
Chris Wilder ultimately lost his job at Sheffield United, with Ruben Selles coming in to take charge at Bramall Lane. The aim for next season will be to avoid the play-offs completely, and finishing in the top two is the target for the South Yorkshire outfit.
However, if promotion is won, the Blades will be hoping for a much better reunion with the top flight and EFL Analysis has taken a look at the last time the club were in the Premier League.
Sheffield United were relegated with ease in 2023/24
Going back to Sheffield United’s last top flight campaign does not send us too far back in time, with the 2023/24 season seeing the club play in the division.
Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
However, it was a major struggle as Paul Heckingbottom attempted to keep his team away from relegation danger. In their first 10 games, the Blades picked up just one point and they were rooted to the bottom of the table.
An 8-0 home defeat to Newcastle United was proof of their issues, before they finally tasted victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers – winning 2-1. Despite this weight off their shoulders, wins did not come frequently and they picked up three points just twice more.
A run of 11 defeats in 14 at the end of the season saw Sheffield United relegated with just 16 points – only five more than Derby County picked up in 2007/08. They conceded a record 104 goals, with Wilder unable to steady the ship when he came in to take charge in his second stint.
Ruben Selles must avoid the play-offs next season
After coming so close to that instant return, Selles will know that in his first season with the Blades, he must bring Premier League football back to Bramall Lane.
Sheffield United are all too familiar with play-off heartbreak and avoiding that route is a must. The 2025/26 Championship campaign is set up to be an exciting one and there is a real chance of finishing in one of the automatic spots.
If the Blades can have a positive summer, then there is no reason why they cannot force their way into the top two by the time May comes around.