Premier League rankings: Sheffield United analysis, line-up & predicted finish

Sheffield United will always be in the Premier League history books after becoming the first team to score in the rebranded division but the founder members have not been regulars.

This will be just their fourth Premier League season – two of those were from 1992 to 94 while the other ended in a controversial relegation which resulted in an out-of-court settlement against West Ham, who had broken rules on third-party ownership in 2006-07.

It's been a long road back for the Blades with a detour that included a six-season stint in the third division but they have found solace in one of their own.

United supporter Chris Wilder has been the driving force behind their resurgence, first leading them to the Sky Bet League One title, followed by Championship consolidation and then automatic promotion.

The Blades deserved to go up. They had the best goal difference (plus 37) and the joint-best defence as Wilder stuck to a plan in a 3-4-1-2 formation in which the attacking centre-backs would push forward to create overlapping opportunities, usually leaving opponents bamboozled.

Their success, however, was built on putting away weaker teams in the division, and all nine of their defeats came against top-ten opponents.

This is clearly a step up and their defence could become more vulnerable in transitions, while they also averaged only 51 per cent possession which could be another problem, allowing better sides more of the ball to potentially hurt them.

It was imperative Wilder signed a goalkeeper – impressive loanee Dean Henderson is back for another year from Manchester United – but their overall transfer activity seems to be happening late after being slowed by an ownership court battle.

Forwards Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick grabbed a magnificent 38 Championship goals between them and they will be pushed by Ireland international Callum Robinson who contributed 12 for Preston.

Playmaker Luke Freeman was well regarded in the Championship at QPR and has the technique to impress, yet it could still be a fourth Premier League relegation in five for United.

Possible team (3-4-1-2): Henderson; Basham, Egan, O'Connell; Baldock, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens; Duffy; McGoldrick, Sharp.

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