We take a closer look at our opposition for the upcoming Premier League season
Sheffield United
Runners-up to the Clarets in the Sky Bet Championship last term, the Blades were initially formed by members of the Sheffield United Cricket Club in 1854 and they became the first English sports club to use ‘United’ in their name.
Officially however, they were founded in March 1889 by the cricket club’s president, Sir Charles Clegg. City rivals Sheffield Wednesday had vacated Bramall Lane, so the Blades occupied it.
The Blades’ greatest period of sustained success came in a 30-year spell from 1895 to 1925. In that time, they became champions of England and won the FA Cup four times. The last of those FA Cups, won in 1925 is the last major honour that United won.
Floating between the top flight and second tier, United’s darkest days then came between 1975 and 1981 as they tumbled into the Fourth Division. Back-to-back promotions did however see them return to the top table in 1990 after a 14-year absence.
In turn, they were founder members of the Premier League and United actually netted the first ever Premier League goal as Brian Deane scored the opener in a 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
Relegated in 1994, the Blades remained outside the top-flight for 12 years despite being Second Divison play-off final runners up twice and reaching the play-off semi-finals.
Promoted back to the Premier League in 2006 under the guidance of Neil Warnock after finishing 2nd, United lasted just one season though after being relegated on the final day of the season.
Following just four seasons in the Championship, things got tougher as United then suffered relegation in 2011 to League one.
After five seasons in the third tier, Chris Wilder then arrived at Bramall Lane in 2016 in a bid to get the Blades back up and that’s exactly what he did, as the former Blade guided the club to the League One title in his first season at the club.
United were then back in the top-flight in 2018 as Wilder’s side secured a second promotion in just three seasons. The Covid-19 pandemic brought a holt to the Blades’ first season but saw the Yorkshire side finish 9th following ‘Project Restart’ in the summer of 2020.
However, relegation followed the next season in 2021 but it took United just two seasons to return to the Premier League after securing 2nd place last season behind the Clarets.
Stadium: Bramall Lane (32,050) – John Street, Highfield, Sheffield, S2 4QX
Nickname(s): The Blades
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom
2022/23 finishing position: 2nd in the Sky Bet Championship (Promoted)
2022/23 top scorer (all competitions): Iliman Ndiaye / Oli McBurnie (15)
Played for both:
David Edgar – The defender joined the Clarets in 2009 from Newcastle United and went on to make 114 appearances for Burnley over five seasons. Departing in 2014 for Birmingham City, Edgar then joined the Blades on a season-long loan for the 2015/16 campaign. After making 36 appearances at Bramall Lane, the Canadian then moved over to America to join MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps.
Tony Philliskirk – Current U18s boss at Burnley, Philliskirk began his career at Bramall Lane in 1983 and went on to win the Third Division in his first season. The striker spent five years at United making 80 appearances before leaving for Oldham in 1988. Philliskirk had spells at Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End and Peterborough United before signing for the Clarets in 1994. The forward featured 40 times for Burnley before leaving for Cardiff City the following season. Philliskirk returned to Turf Moor in December 2018 as the youth team boss.
Glen Little – Little came through the academy system at Crystal Palace but joined Irish Premier side Glentoran in in 1995 and spent two years in Ireland before signing for the Clarets in 1997. Little helped Burnley achieve promotion to the First Division in 2000 before eventually leaving in 2004 for Reading after making 283 appearances at Turf Moor. After a four-year stay with the Royals, the winger spent a season at Portsmouth before joining the Blades in 2009. Little featured just 16 times for the Yorkshire side before leaving in 2010 for Aldershot Town.
Full record against (competitive): P – 129, W – 45, D – 32, L – 52
Last time we met: 10.04.2023 – Burnley 2 [Gudmundsson x2] – 0 Sheff U (Champ)
Last win against: Above
2023/24 Fixtures: H – 02/12/2023 / A – 20/04/2024
