Premier League team guide: Sheffield United in the spotlight

Sheffield United are back in the Premier League after two seasons away having finished as runners-up in the Championship last term. 

The Blades surprisingly came ninth in the top flight in 2019-20 but just beating the drop is likely to be a more realistic aim for Paul Heckingbottom's men this time around.

Last season: Second (Championship)

After falling narrowly short in the play-offs in 2021-22, the Yorkshire club left nothing to chance by comfortably earning second last season.

While runaway champions Burnley proved too tough to catch, Heckingbottom's side impressed by finishing 11 points ahead of third-placed Luton.

Throw in an FA Cup semi-final appearance during a season in which they were also handed a transfer embargo in January and Heckingbottom can consider the 2022-23 campaign a job well done.

New faces

Last season's star man Iliman Ndiaye leaving for boyhood club Marseille has dealt the Blades a blow but they have been busy adding new faces.

Due to limited financial power compared to their top-flight rivals, the focus has been on finding talent from abroad. 

Midfielder Anis Slimane was the first to join from Danish side Brondby before left-back Yasser Larouchi made a loan switch from Troyes.

Big things are expected of Ivorian attacker Benie Traore, who arrives in the Premier League from Swedish side Hacken, while United States international Auston Trusty will bolster the defence. 

One to watch: Benie Traore

Approaching only his third senior season away from Mimosas in the Ivory Coast, there is plenty of intrigue over what Traore will offer at Bramall Lane.

The 20-year-old starlet joined the Blades last month, midway through Hacken's Swedish top-flight season, during which he scored 12 goals in 14 games.

A diminutive attacker who loves to take players on, Traore could be tasked with adding the creativity Ndiaye and loanee James McAtee provided last term. 

The boss: Paul Heckingbottom

Former Leeds and Barnsley boss Heckingbottom has defied plenty of doubters with his work at the club. 

Appointed permanently in November 2021 after a previous spell as caretaker, the 46-year-old surprised many when he led the Blades to the play-offs despite being 16th when he took over.

It was a much more straightforward affair last term and he now has the chance to prove himself as a top-flight boss.

All information correct as of August 9, 2023