Sheffield United

Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday’s game between Newcastle United and Sheffield United in the Premier League.

• The Blades have now suffered their ninth top-flight relegation, which is as many as local rivals Sheffield Wednesday who have also been relegated nine times. Only five teams have suffered the drop from the top division of English football on more occasions: Birmingham City (12), Leicester City (12), West Bromwich (11), Bolton (10) and Manchester City (10).

• Newcastle have scored 13 Premier League goals against Sheffield United this season, which is the most one team has scored against another team in a single campaign in the competition's history.

• Alexander Isak has scored 19 Premier League goals this season, the most by any Newcastle player in a single top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 (22 goals). He has also scored in each of his past seven Premier League games at St James’ Park, with only Andrew Cole (8 in 1993-94) and Alan Shearer (15 in 1996-97) netting in more consecutive home appearances for the Magpies in the competition.

• Sheffield United have conceded 97 goals in their 35 Premier League games this season, with only Swindon Town (100 goals in 42 games in 1993-94) conceding more in an entire campaign in the competition's history.

• Anthony Gordon has been directly involved in 16 Premier League goals at St James’ Park this season (9 goals, 7 assists), with only Cole Palmer registering more home goal involvements in the competition this term (17).

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

The writing has been on the wall for quite some time for Sheffield United, who started brightly at St James' Park but fell to pieces after Bruno Guimaraes gave Newcastle the lead in the second half.

The Blades have been stuck in the bottom three since late September, when they were thrashed 8-0 by Eddie Howe's team at Bramall Lane in their record league defeat.

Only Swindon Town have conceded more goals in a single Premier League season than the Blades, who have now shipped 97 goals in 35 games.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession and could have added to Anel Ahmedhodzic's early opener, with Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz and Mason Holgate all going close.

However, Newcastle never looked back after Guimaraes' header and could ultimately have won by a healthier margin.

Referee Tony Harrington awarded the visitors a late spot-kick after Jayden Bogle went down under pressure from Magpies substitute Alex Murphy, but Chris Wilder's team were denied a late consolation after VAR ruled the Newcastle defender had got his toe to the ball.

With Brereton Diaz, Holgate, James McAtee and Yasser Larouci due to return to their respective parent clubs on 30 June and Bogle, Oli McBurnie and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham all out of contract in the summer, Wilder has plenty to think about as the Blades turn their attentions to next season's Championship campaign.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been speaking to Match of the Day after his side were relegated from the Premier League this afternoon: "We have not been good enough. The league has been too powerful for us right the way through the season.

"There have been plenty of games where we have been put to bed early, but today we should have been 3-0 up at half-time. I'm scratching my head that it was 1-1. Newcastle then up their game and get a head of steam, and then our old mistakes start to fall in [place] and the goals go from two to three to four to five pretty quickly.

"There is a reason why that happens. It is an incredibly young side and there is a complete lack of leadership out there.

"I thought, at times, I was going to have a heart attack in terms of trying to get the messages on [to the players on the pitch]."

On the Blades' relegation from the English top-flight: "It stings and it hurts. We have to own it. We have got so much work to do on the training ground. We have got to have a proper pre-season.

"Sheffield United is a really good football club. I think everyone understands that, but it has been a really poor season.

"I have still got another year left of my contract and I would like to think that the supporters can trust me. I'm enthusiastic and committed, along with my coaching staff, to get it right.

"We know exactly what direction we need to go in, what the culture is going to look like, and what our pre-season is going to look like.

"It is going to be a tough summer for everybody."

Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as Newcastle recovered from a sluggish start to thrash Chris Wilder's side at St James' Park.

Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the visitors a deserved early lead, nodding home Gustavo Hamer's in-swinging cross from close range.

The Blades carved out several opportunities to double their advantage, as Newcastle struggled to gain a grip on proceedings, but the home side were level when Alexander Isak drilled home from Jacob Murphy's pass in the 26th minute.

Ben Brereton Diaz had a goal-bound shot blocked by Dan Burn and Mason Holgate headed against the woodwork on the half-hour mark, but the visitors fell behind early in the second half when Bruno Guimaraes steered Lewis Hall's delivery into the far corner.

Isak registered his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot, after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Holgate, before the unfortunate Ben Osborn bundled into his own net for Newcastle's fourth and Callum Wilson came off the bench to score his first top-flight goal since October.

Sheffield United were awarded a late penalty, but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee who ruled Magpies substitute Alex Murphy had won the ball in a challenge on Jayden Bogle.

The defeat leaves the Blades 10 points adrift of safety with only three games remaining, while Newcastle stay seventh and are well placed to secure a spot in Europe next season.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Newcastle fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Sheffield United fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Andy Bell and Steve Queralt from Ride, who support Arsenal and Tottenham.

Sutton's predictions: 3-1

Sheffield United will be relegated if they lose this game but it is going to happen sooner or later even if they avoid defeat.

The Blades have lacked quality in all areas but they have known they are going down for a while now, and the important thing for them is how they regroup for next season.

Newcastle put eight goals past them at Bramall Lane in September and I am pretty sure they will cut through them pretty easily this time too. I am going to give Sheffield United a goal, but that is all they will get.

Steve's prediction: 3-0

A relatively routine home win. Sheffield United might put up a decent fight but Newcastle will be too strong for them. 3-0

Andy's prediction: 3-0

That's exactly what I have put too.

Read the rest of their predictions here

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and we will bring you every moment.

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BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:

Manchester United v Burnley - Listen on BBC Sounds from 15:00

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Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Newcastle.

Here are the key lines from the Sheffield United boss:

• On injuries in the squad: "Oli McBurnie is out for the season, that's a massive blow for us. It's a really disappointing one. He went to see a specialist, he doesn't require surgery but it's a big one to miss certainly from a leadership and experience point of view. Jayden Bogle was taken off against Manchester United as a precaution, James McAtee went for a scan and we're waiting for results this morning so fingers crossed that he's OK. We believe Jayden will be OK and there is a question mark about McAtee."

• On young talent coming through the academy: "The way they've been brought up and nurtured through the set up in the academy is brilliant. From an attitude and a talent point of view, we're really in a good place and looking forward for them to develop. Maybe part of the next three or four games will see the introduction of those boys being involved. We have to be careful that we don't break them, that they don't have incredibly poor experiences so the timing of it has got to be good but them being around the first team will be good and looking forward to them being involved maybe in the last two or three games of the season."

• On Wes Foderingham being in goal: "He'll stay in the team, he was outstanding so I'm just after best practice. We made a change in December [signing Ivo Grbic], we felt that we needed that change. It hasn't worked out so far, we have to accept that. Ivo has and has to accept that. Myself and the coaching staff have to accept that so I'm not doing something from a personal point of view. Wes has trained really well. There was a situation that we needed to make a change last week and Wes has come in and done the business. I like to think that's what proper pros look like. They take the disappointment on the chin, they bide their time and when the opportunity comes they take it and they carry on."

• Wilder said there have been discussions over Foderingham's contract, which expires in the summer.

• On potentially being relegated this weekend: "Through good times we all enjoy it and then you have to own and suffer for the times where it goes wrong. There are certain things as a football club which we haven't done right. We've had a poor season and we have had to take the words, the criticism and we have to learn. We are sat here with a load of optimism about the future of the football club. We have been in far worse positions than this. We'll be ready if the inevitable happens at the weekend. We'll go right to the end, no matter what the situation is."

• Wilder says he feels performances have improved, adding: "We really believed we were in decent nick and we would get the opportunity to turn really good performance into big results. The Brentford and Burnley games really have sealed our fate but obviously the gap now is too big. We'll come fighting back. You get judged on results and certain weaknesses in certain departments have let us down. There are things that we need to reset to get better."

• On facing Newcastle: "It's one of my favourite clubs and one of my favourite teams to watch. I've got enormous admiration for Eddie [Howe] and his career and how he has gone about it . They've had their ups and downs but they're still in the position that they are. They've got some fabulous players, it's an incredible environment, another one that we can really look forward to going and hopefully leaving everything out there like we did on Wednesday night."

• Follow the rest of Friday's news conferences here

Here is a selection of the key facts and figures before Newcastle United host Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 BST kick-off).

• Newcastle have won seven of their past eight league games against Sheffield United, with the exception being a 1-0 away loss in the Premier League in January 2021.

• The Magpies beat Sheffield United 8-0 in the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane – the most goals they have scored against an opponent in a Premier League campaign is 10, doing so against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999-00.

• The Blades have lost 16 of their past 18 Premier League away games played on a Saturday, though the two exceptions have been in their past three such matches (3-1 v Luton Town and 2-2 v Bournemouth).

• Alexander Isak has scored in his past six Premier League home games, with only Andy Cole (eight in 1993-94) and Alan Shearer (15 in 1996-97) netting in more consecutively for Newcastle in the competition.

• Newcastle have scored in all 17 of their league home games this season, with their 43 goals their most at St James' Park in a top-flight campaign since 1996-97 (54).

Sheffield United could have their relegation fate confirmed before the end of the week, after falling to a 4-2 defeat at Manchester United.

Indeed, Chris Wilder's side will be officially relegated to the Championship if they lose at Newcastle United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

On BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast, former striker Carl Asaba has praised some of the players for "working their socks off" in the game but was unimpressed by the actions of others.

"We have scored two away at Old Trafford and I am sat feeling deflated because I feel like yet again there was more there for the team.

"They worked their socks off. There were some really massive performances - I mean top, top drawer - from Wes [Foderingham] and [Ollie] Arblaster. But then to finish as the team that has conceded four goals, I feel so sorry for them. They deserved more.

"There's a few bits that are creeping into the team that I don't like seeing - it is not the Sheffield United way. If you are rolling around when you are 4-2 down to win a free kick, that is not on. If you are hurt, fair enough, be treated. But there are a few players who are not of the Sheffield United mentality."

Asaba highlighted Jayden Bogle, Ben Brereton Diaz and Wes Foderingham for their "great" performances against Erik ten Hag's side: "Bogle has been one of the strongest players under Chris [Wilder]. He has been getting stronger week by week and his performances have been great. His finishing is just top drawer. He is brilliant. Hopefully he doesn't have a soft muscle injury - that was a worry.

"Diaz works his socks off. He has the mentality. Whether it is going right for him or not, he works and gives everything he has got physically.

"I thought Foderingham's performance was really, really good - one of his best performances of the season. Full credit to him. I am delighted because it has been a tough season for him. He has taken a lot of flack, but to perform like that was great."

He also had some strong words for goalkeeper Ivo Grbic: "The video of Grbic warming up, that is not serious. That is pub football with a hangover. The chance of coming on in front of 72,000 people, in the Premier League, for your club, and you can't even shake a leg to warm up?

"That is embarrassing. I am sat here giggling out of embarrassment. That can't happen - it just can't happen. You don't want that. You don't want young kids seeing that and thinking that is acceptable at Sheffield United. I just think that needs to be stamped out.

"Have a look at the footage of Grbic warming up when Wes is down - you will be horrified."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder accepted last night that relegation from the Premier League is "inevitable".

The Blades boss is already looking to next season in the Championship and the work that needs to be done to ensure his reshaped team are ready to make an immediate impact given they will only have two seasons of parachute payments, rather than three.

Decisions need to be made on Ben Brereton Diaz, Mason Holgate, James McAtee and Yasser Larouci, whose loan deals end on 30 June. In addition, numerous players, including Oli McBurnie, Jayden Bogle and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham are out of contract.

"It is going to be hard and intense this summer," said Wilder. "A lot of players are out of contract and others are returning to clubs from loans.

"It has been looked at for a while this might be an opportunity to rebuild.

"There is a lot of work to do, everyone recognises it.

"We know what we need to do. We are taking the pain before the inevitable and we can get the club back where we want it to be."

We asked for your views on Manchester United's 4-2 win over relegation-threatened Sheffield United on Wednesday night.

Here are some of your answers:

Manchester United fans

Christine: The win is papering over the cracks and, as an Erik ten Hag fan, I am finding it more and more difficult to defend him. There is no structure and the players are constantly not turning up for work, Marcus Rashford being one of them. It is a relief that we beat Sheffield United, but the fear is the next game and what team turns up then.

Peter: Shocked - even more shocked than before. I'm glad we scored four goals, but to concede two goals so easily is extraordinary. But, it's United's season. I don't think Ten Hag has complete control of this team, the players are so disjointed and have been all season. Normally it would improve, but amazingly it has actually got worse. Lost for words.

Lucy: Much better than the Coventry game. We are still not there just yet, but Harry Maguire is showing his class once again, Rasmus Hojlund is back on the scoresheet, and we are all talking about Bruno. It's time to sort out the defence and the hesitation now.

Ewan: We got there in the end. A decent win. Bruno had a good game and I was glad to see the real player emerge for one game. I thought there were still frailties and both goals were naive. We still can't control games, even against weak opposition - no disrespect. The highlights for me were Hojlund's goal and Ethan Wheatley's debut. He looks great in the under-18s and we need our youth now!

Sheffield United fans

Rugster: We are playing well in the 5-3-2 formation. We would have been 2-1 up if it wasn't for a dodgy penalty. There were terrible substitutions yet again! Chris Wilder took Archer off for McAtee, so we had to shift to 5-4-1 which hasn't worked all season. We have no out balls and teams batter us when we play like this. Then we swapped to 4-5-1 for the last 20 minutes and we folded. I'm seriously questioning Wilder 2.0.

Bob: Same old, same old. We can’t defend for toffee. Let's see how we get on back in the Championship. I think we need a complete clear out of those both on and off the pitch!

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Wednesday night's four Premier League fixtures as well as the goals from Tuesday's game.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Oli Arblaster became Sheffield United's seventh captain at Old Trafford.

He is by far the youngest.

Yet the midfielder has eased himself into Chris Wilder's starting line-up after spending the first half of the season on loan at a Port Vale side destined for relegation to League Two.

Arblaster has still only made eight Premier League appearances. He is yet to experience what it is like to win.

However, the maturity of his performance is a positive for the future.

He has awareness, energy and a tidy passing game. The experience he is getting now should serve Wilder well in the Championship next term.

Positives have been hard to come by for Sheffield United this season. Arblaster is one.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder to BBC Match of the Day: "It's the story of our season. There's been times when we've been well and truly put to bed. But there's been nights like tonight.

"Add it all up. We went toe-to-toe for 80 minutes, we got ourselves in front a couple of times. But it was the same old things that have come back to haunt us, poor defending.

"I've got to say, I'm really disappointed with a couple of the decisions as well. I think the free-kick, I don't know what my centre-half is supposed to do, just walk out the way? He's nutmegged him, but he can't disappear. That said, we've not really defended that situation as well as we should have done.

"I think he's blown early on the penalty. I think it's a really soft penalty if I'm honest about it. There is always contact in the box. It's a really soft one. Now, you might say they scored. But that's got nothing to do with us. He gave a penalty straight away.

"Yet again, it's a mixed bag. A lot of things are pretty good. A lot of times we get pretty close. But we are here, it's another one we've lost.

"The inevitable will happen, we understand that and accept that. We're in a position where we just have pride to play for. We did that and the supporters recognise that.

"There's bodies in there we can build and rebuild around. Going into next season there's a big rebuild on. We, I, have to make sure we get the culture right.

"We've scored two at Old Trafford and we've come away with nothing. That's something that shouldn't be happening. You should be getting something out of the game."

On Ben Brereton Diaz being a star player for the Blades: "Absolutely spot on, I did my homework on him and knew what he was like as a lad and as a player. He's been outstanding."

Here are the key facts and figures from Manchester United's 4-2 win over Sheffield United in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

• Sheffield United have conceded 92 goals in the Premier League this season, the most by any side in a 38-game campaign in the competition's history.

• Manchester United scored four goals in a Premier League home game for the first time this season, with their last such instance coming in May last year against Chelsea (4-1).

• Manchester United have conceded 50 Premier League goals this season. They have now conceded 50 or more in two of their past three campaigns, having done so in just one of the first 29.

• Bruno Fernandes has scored seven goals in his past six league appearances, as many as he had in his previous 45. With a brace tonight, this is the first time he has scored two or more goals in back-to-back Premier League games.

• Jayden Bogle scored his third league goal of the season, with the others coming against Manchester City and Chelsea. He's just the second Sheffield United player to score against both Manchester clubs in a Premier League campaign, along with Brian Deane in 1992-93.

• Ben Brereton Diaz has scored five goals in just 10 Premier League appearances this season, with only Oli McBurnie netting more for Sheffield United (six in 21 games). The Blades are averaging 1.5 goals-per-game in the league with Brereton Diaz in the side this season, compared to 0.8 without him (including games before his arrival).

Manchester United's chaotic high-scoring form continued at Old Trafford as they twice came from behind to overcome spirited Sheffield United at Old Trafford.

Bruno Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund struck in the final nine minutes to ensure the win.

Manchester United captain Fernandes followed up an excellent pinpoint 25-yard drive by hooking back the cross five minutes from time that allowed Hojlund to score his first goal since February.

As in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Coventry, it was a favourable outcome in the end for under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag.

But there are some staggering statistics to go with their recent results. In total, 27 goals have now been scored in their past five games. They have conceded and scored at least two in all of them.

In entertainment terms, it is sensational. However, there is zero sense of structure and it can only be wondered what new technical director Jason Wilcox made of it as he watched his first game in the Old Trafford directors' box since his appointment was confirmed last week.

After railing against the media the day before the game, labelling coverage of the Coventry match "embarrassing" and "a disgrace", Ten Hag's team failed to follow up by convincing on the pitch.

Without a win since February and with only three in the league all season, Sheffield United led twice, through Jayden Bogle in the first half and Ben Brereton Diaz in the second.

The home side levelled each time, courtesy of Harry Maguire's deft header and Fernandes' penalty.

And Manchester United eventually claimed the points to move back into sixth spot.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Manchester United fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Sheffield United fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are four matches being played in the Premier League on Wednesday, and we will bring you every moment.

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