Summer is officially over. Well... at least the summer transfer window is. After about 2 months of wheeling and dealing the window has slammed shut. United managed to bring in 8 new players and managed to not sell any crucial players for once! Before we dive into an analysis of our new faces, I'd like to hold a moments remembrance for players that we lost... Brooksy, we hardly knew ye but the best of luck to you on your Premier League journey. Let's hope you can go onto show the world how good a footballer you truly are. Other casualties include Caolan Lavery, James Hanson and the whole of the January transfer window signings. Anyway, enough about the old guard, lets get the low down on the new boys!
Dean Henderson Signed From: Manchester United (On Loan) Previous Clubs: Stockport County, Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town Total Appearances/Goals: 54/0 After an impressive season at Shrewsbury, where he helped the club to the brink of Championship football, Hendo came to the Blades looking to fill the (relatively large) shoes of the departing Jamal Blackman. So far, this man has been immense. Impressing with some incredible saves most notably in a three on one situation against Norwich when he somehow denied an almost certain goal with cat like reflexes. So far so good for the Man Utd goalkeeper who has already endeared himself to the United faithful and is currently adorning my phone lock screen. John Egan Signed From: Brentford (£4.1 million pounds) Previous Clubs: Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Bradford City, Southend United, Gillingham Total Appearances/Goals: 163/17 Oh. My. God. For the first time in over a decade, Sheffield United broke their transfer record. Previously held by names such as Beattie and Davis, the title of most expensive player now belongs to ex Brentford captain and Republic of Ireland international John Egan. A product of the Greenwood academy, Egan has made one previous appearance for the Blades, being part of a backline that lost 3-2 to Crewe in 2012. He's improved massively since then and lead Brentford to a brilliant 9th placed finish in the Championship last season. After a few teething problems to start the season, Egan has started to look more commanding and even chipped in with a goal in the win over Norwich. David McGoldrick Signed From: Ipswich Town (Free Transfer) Previous Clubs: Notts County, Southampton, Bournemouth, Port Vale, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Coventry City, Ipswich Town Total Appearances/Goals: 338/85 After being released by Ipswich after 5 years with the club, McGoldrick was offered the chance of a trial with United during pre season and after impressing against Bradford and Mansfield he was given a one year deal on the day of the friendly against Inter. He went on to score in that fixture and has since gone onto show what a classy player he can be. Scoring in the 2-1 win over QPR and the setting up Billy Sharp's last gasp winner against Norwich. The Republic of Ireland international nearly added a second goal of the season against Bolton but his rasping drive from about 30 yards was beaten away by the Bolton keeper. Looks to be a shrewd edition if he can stay fit. Ben Woodburn Signed From: Liverpool (Loan) Previous Clubs: Liverpool Total Appearances/Goals: 6/0 A real marquee signing and a signal of intent from the Blades. United managed to beat off the interest of several Championship clubs to secure the signature of highly rated Liverpool prospect Woodburn. Making his Liverpool debut at 17 and already a full Wales international with a goal to his name. Woodburn could go onto be a real key player for Liverpool in the future with Klopp wanting him to get used to the rigours of first team football before using him more next year. Kean Bryan Signed From: Manchester City (Free Transfer) Previous Clubs: Manchester City, Bury, Oldham Athletic Total Appearances/Goals: 44/2 A signing that came out of the blue, Bryan comes to the Blades after an impressive spell at Oldham where he was awarded their young player of the season after helping them avoid relegation to League Two. Equally adept at playing as a centre back or defensive midfielder, this lad could be a bargain signing but will have to prove himself at a higher level. Oliver Norwood Signed From: Brighton and Hove Albion (Loan with Obligation to Buy in January) Previous Clubs: Manchester United, Carlisle United, Scunthorpe United, Coventry City, Huddersfield Town, Reading, Brighton, Fulham Total Appearances/Goals: 269/20 Norwood comes to United with a sparkling reputation at this level with two back to back promotions earned at Brighton and Fulham. A full Northern Ireland international, the midfielder looks to be living up to his high standards with man of the match performances in his first two home matches. Looks to be the missing piece to the midfielder jigsaw since Paul Coutts injury in November. Conor Washington Signed From: QPR (Free Transfer) Previous Clubs: St Ives Town, Newport County, Peterborough United, QPR Total Appearances/Goals: 293/99 The first of two deadline day signings, Washington comes to the Blades with a point to prove after a disappointing spell at QPR. After an impressive 2015/16 season where he scored 15 goals in all competitions, QPR signed Washington for a fee within the £2.5 to £3 million region. However, he never really lived up to that billing and looked to be getting reduced minutes after QPR signed Nakhi Wells and Tomer Hemed. A move to Bramall Lane fell into place after cancelling his contract. If Wilder can make Washington rediscover the form he had during the 2015/16 season, we have a real player on our hands here. Marvin Johnson Signed From: Middlesbrough (Loan) Previous Clubs: Solihull Moors, Kidderminster Harriers, Hednesford Town, Motherwell, Oxford United, Middlesbrough Total Appearances/Goal: 219/26 A confusing last transfer. Although it appeared we would have had Johnson secured earlier on in the window, that never happened. Come deadline day it looked like our interest had cooled and he was going to Hull. But then that fell through and it looked like he would be coming to Sheffield but not to United, anyway, come about 5:20 United announced that Johnson had signed on a season long loan. Still with me? Johnson comes to United much like Washington. After an impressive 2016/17 season for Oxford, Johnson signed for Boro for a rumoured £2.5 million but never really got going at the Riverside. He comes to United hoping to impress in a league that looked far away as little as 4 years ago when he was in the Conference with Kidderminster. Verdict After a slow start to summer recruitment, I believe that on the whole, United have improved considerably with deadwood being moved on and upgrades being brought in to replace them. We have made some real state of intention signings especially Henderson, Woodburn, Norwood and Egan in particular. All in all, I think this has been a good window. As always UTB.
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AuthorHi my name is John and i will be giving my thoughts on the blades matches and all blades related news in this section Archives
November 2022
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