Sheffield United

Adam Oxley
Journalist, BBC Radio Sheffield

Image source, Getty Images

It's hard to believe that it's less than three months since Sheffield United were 15 minutes away from an immediate return to the Premier League.

Hopes of another top-flight tilt have quickly been replaced by infighting between Blades supporters with frustrations directed at manager Ruben Selles and owners COH Sports, in fairly equal measure.

The decision to part ways with Chris Wilder after securing 92 points and reaching the Championship play-off final was always going to be divisive and seen as a major gamble, with supporters of the boyhood Sheffield United fan seemingly ready to pounce on any whiff of trouble this season, if social media reaction is anything to go by.

And with the Blades bottom of the second tier after two league games, and having lost all three matches this season including the Carabao Cup defeat at Birmingham City, there's more than a whiff of concern in the Bramall Lane air.

Last week Selles described the club's summer recruitment so far as not good enough, with key players Vinicius Souza, Anel Ahmedhodzic and Kieffer Moore all sold without being replaced.

The Spaniard told us he wants five more players before the transfer window closes, and he wants players ready to perform in the Championship now, not just prospects for the future.

Having rolled the dice in the managerial hotseat as part of a new chapter "aimed squarely at bringing sustainable success" in the Premier League, the Blades' board has two weeks to give their man the tools he says he needs to deliver their lofty aspirations.

Any hopes of a honeymoon period for Selles were swiftly ended when United lost their opening Championship game 4-1 at home to Bristol City – a side the Blades had thrashed 6-0 over two legs in the play-off semi-finals in May.

But that result and poor defensive performance was compounded in South Wales last weekend as United lost 1-0 at Swansea City.

Arguably the club's best current starting 11 failed to muster a single shot on goal, with questions raised over the players' body language during the game and a video circulating on social media after the match appearing to show star midfielder Gus Hamer arguing with a supporter in the away end.

Some Blades fans have already called for Selles to be sacked, but is it fair to judge the Spaniard so early in his tenure, and before the end of the transfer window?

I'd argue not, but both Selles and the club's American owners need a positive and productive few weeks to reassure fans that this summer's overhaul is worth the risk.

Sheffield United are keen to add former Brentford defender Ben Mee to their squad. (The Star), external

Mee was released by the Bees at the end of last season.

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Molly Stephens
Final Score and 5 Live Sport reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Swansea City's season is up and running with a win that was thoroughly deserved after countless chances for the hosts.

What was clear is that Sheffield United's brief was "defend" and Swansea City's was "attack".

This was made clear by a huge contrast in the opportunities in front of goal - Ruben Selles' side did not manage a single shot on target in the whole game.

Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux didn't have a save to make. No, the table doesn't matter right now, but it's hard to believe the Blades, who are rock bottom, were playing in the play-off final a matter of months ago.

Their opponents that day, Sunderland, have recorded their first win in their first game back in the top-flight.

Meanwhile Sheffield United lacked any sort of threat in front of goal.

The players looked completely dejected at full time, and that was only exacerbated when you see the faces of the clearly frustrated fans, who travelled 239 miles to watch their team come nowhere near a point in the 27 degree heat in South Wales.

Swansea, meanwhile, were dominant from the get-go.

Alan Sheehan's side thoroughly deserved the win. Chances in double figures, but, perhaps you'll then wonder, why not more than one goal?

Well it's the age old issue. They lack an out-and-out striker. Now that is no disrespect to Wales international Liam Cullen who played up front for the Swans against the Blades, but he is playing out of position trying to lead the attack as a nine, and is better with someone alongside him.

It's clear an additional striker is needed. Just the 16 days until Deadline Day.

But take nothing away from a game full of chances and a fanbase buoyed by an encouraging attacking performance.

Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles stressed the importance of staying calm during games after seeing his side beaten 2-0 by Swansea.

Selles' reign has begin with back to back league defeats, leaving The Blades bottom of the table after reaching the play-offs under Chris Wilder last term.

"The first half was an even game. Then in the second half they broke our pressure a couple of times, especially around our right-hand side," the former Hull boss told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We tried to adjust the pressure and didn't work in the way that we wanted. In an offensive throw, they scored a goal from our own throw-in.

"The game became difficult for us and then we were not good enough arriving into the final third and trying to create more situations. We must remain calm in all we do."

United will be at home to Millwall in their next game on Saturday.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United have made a bid for Coventry City defender Bobby Thomas in the region of £5m.

One source also said that a bid of £8m has been registered with Coventry.

The 24-year-old moved to Coventry from Burnley in the summer of 2023 and signed a four-year deal.

He is closing in on a century of appearances for the Sky Blues, and played in both of their games so far this season.

Sheffield United will search for their first win of the season when they head to Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST).

The Blades have already faced tough losses against Bristol City and Birmingham City in their Championship and Carabao Cup opening games to give new boss Ruben Selles a difficult start to life as United's boss.

Hosts Swansea also struggled in their league opener, losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough in a disappointing away match, but found a comfortable 3-1 win over a 10-man Crawley in their midweek cup game.

• Swansea City have lost each of their last five league games against Sheffield United, scoring just one goal and conceding 11 in that time.

• Sheffield United have won each of their last 11 league games against sides from Wales; it's the joint-longest ever winning run a side has had in the Football League vs teams from the country alongside Colchester United between 1985 and 1987.

• After losing 1-0 to Middlesbrough last weekend, Swansea will be looking to avoid losing each of their opening two games of a league campaign for the first time since 2013-14.

• With their 4-1 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday, Sheffield United conceded 4+ goals in their opening match of a league season for just the second time this century after losing 4-0 to Gillingham in August 2015.

• On MD1, Sheffield United recorded more touches in the opposition's box than any other side (50), their most in a league game since April 2023 against Preston North End (52)

Sheffield United manager Ruben Selles wants a strong response to his side's poor start to the season.

The Blades travel to Swansea City on Saturday (15:00 BST) and will look to find a first win of the season following a 4-1 defeat to Bristol City on Saturday and a first-round Carabao Cup exit against Birmingham City on Wednesday.

The Spaniard insisted that it has been a valuable experience for his team so far.

"We have 48 hours to get ourselves ready against a really aggressive side on Saturday. We need to be as competitive as we can to match them," Selles told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"When the difficult times come, we will be there. I'm not feeling sorry for myself.

"We lost a lot of experience, so we need to replace that."

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

"I think it's all about carrying the journey we're on. There is an endgame, it's to ensure there is a legacy of a football club that is established in the Football League that represents the town of Bromley."

Aaron Paul, Jobi McAnuff and Phil Brown are joined by Bromley owner Robin Stanton-Greaves to discuss the EFL after the Ravens' shock win against Ipswich in the Carabao Cup on penalties.

They discuss the season ahead for the clubs in the Championship, new signings for Ipswich and Queens Park Rangers, an all-time EFL starting XI and the goalkeeper howlers from the new season so far.

Listen to the full episode of 72+ and more on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Rex Features

Forest Green Rovers have signed Jili Buyabu from Sheffield United on a season-long loan.

The 22-year-old left-sided player moved to the Blades in 2021 after beginning his career with Hornchurch.

He spent last season on loan at Rochdale, where he made 24 National League appearances.

Sheffield United midfielder Louie Marsh was full of praise for the Blades and insists there are lots of positives to take after their 2-1 defeat in the opening round of the Carabao Cup by Birmingham City.

A Gustavo Hamer equaliser in the 72nd minute ended up being for nought as Blues striker Jay Stansfield fired the home side's winner late on.

"Birmingham are a good side - I thought we matched them up well with the team we put out, I think the lads dug deep," Marsh told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"We can work on the mistakes, we have certainly done some positive bits, everyone wants a challenge for places in the side."

The Blades travel to Swansea City in the Championship on Saturday (15:00 BST) and will be looking to bounce back after an opening day 4-1 defeat by Bristol City.

Listen to the full interview and more on BBC Sounds.

Sheffield United are considering a deal that would see Peruvian winger Jefferson Caceres, 22, move to Dunfermline Athletic in order to make room for a defensive target in Malmo and Sweden centre-back Nils Zatterstrom, 20. (The Star), external

Want more transfer news from the EFL? Take a look at Tuesday's gossip column here.

Sheffield United manager Ruben Selles says he is "massively disappointed" by his side's 4-1 loss at home to Bristol City.

The Blades - who were beaten play-off finalists last season - dominated the first half but failed to take their chances as Scott Twine impressed for the visitors.

"We came here today, we wanted to have a good performance in front of our fans and nothing went on the side that we wanted," he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

"There are some technical aspects that we need to improve. But we have some parts of the game, especially after we equalised, where we can use that moment to score the second one and change the dynamic of the game.

"We didn't, they did and their third goal was a massive factor in the game and we conceded the fourth one too quick.

"There is a lot of things to improve, it's not good enough from anyone starting from my side."

"The amount of new managers coming into the league this year, I have never seen anything like it".

Aaron Paul and Jobi McAnuff are joined by special guests Tommy Smith and Alex Bruce to preview the 2025-26 Championship season.

They discuss a range of topics including assessing chances of sides coming down from the Premier League, who the contenders might be for the top six and take a deep dive of each of the sides promoted from League One.

Listen to the full episode of 72+ and more on BBC Sounds.

Sheffield United and Bristol City will be debuting their new bosses on Saturday's late afternoon game (17:30 BST) to ring in their new Championship season.

For the Robins, Austrian Gerhard Struber will be hoping to take the mantle on from former boss Liam Manning and set Bristol City up for another promotion fight with a huge win over the side that gave them a 6-0 drubbing in the play-off semi-finals.

While Blades boss Ruben Selles will need to prove he's up to scratch in front of a home crowd after he replaced the much-loved Chris Wilder.

• Sheffield United are unbeaten across their last six league games against Bristol City (W4 D2), with each of their last three wins coming via a one-goal margin.

• Three of Bristol City's last four league wins against Sheffield United have come at Bramall Lane, with the Robins scoring 2+ goals in each of those victories.

• Sheffield United have lost on each of the last four occasions their first league game of the season has come at home, failing to score in each of the last three.

• Bristol City have won their opening league game in just one of the last seven seasons (D4 L2), beating Coventry 2-1 at home in 2020-21.

• Bristol City have won just one of their last 15 away league games (D7 L7), beating Millwall 2-0 back in March.