Meet the opposition | Sheffield United
As Swansea City get set to take on Sheffield United, we take a closer look at the Blades.
What’s their story?
A side steeped in history, Sheffield United were crowned champions of the Football League in 1899, and have won the FA Cup on four occasions - in 1899, 1902, 1915, and 1925.
After over a decade of top-flight football, they were relegated to the Championship in 2004, once again in 2007, and spent six seasons in League One before finally tasting Premier League football again in 2019.
They finished ninth in their first season back, but their second campaign ended with them finishing bottom and returning to the second tier.
They missed out on an immediate top-flight return after losing out to Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-finals, but returned for the 2023-24 season before again being relegated back to the Championship.
The Blades were beaten play-off finalists during the 2024-25 season, losing to Sunderland at Wembley.
How’s their form?
The Blades opened their league campaign with a stalemate against Birmingham City at Bramall Lane last weekend.
That came after they secured their place in the Round Two of the Carabao Cup as goals from Partrick Bamford, Mark McGuinness and Callum O'Hare saw them claim a 3-0 win at Mansfield Town.
Who’s the Gaffer?
Chris Wilder returned to Bramall Lane for a third spell in September 2025, replacing Rubén Sellés after United’s poor start to the Championship campaign.
A hugely popular figure at Sheffield United, Wilder previously guided the Blades from League One to the Premier League, securing a ninth-place finish in the top flight in 2019/20.
After leaving the Blades in 2021, Wilder had spells in charge of Middlesbrough and Watford before returning to Bramall Lane in December 2023, replacing Paul Heckingbottom.
His second spell ended after the club’s 2024/25 play-off final defeat to Sunderland, with Wilder departing as the club opted for a new direction.
However, he was soon back in the hotseat and guided United to a 13th-place finish last season after taking over with the club battling near the bottom of the table.
The former Sheffield United defender also enjoyed spells with Rotherham United, Bradford City and Notts County during his playing career, before moving into management with Alfreton Town.
Wilder went on to achieve promotions with Oxford United, Northampton Town and Sheffield United, and now faces the task of steering the Blades back towards the top end of the Championship.
Who’s the captain?
Japhet Tanganga continues to lead Sheffield United, having taken over the armband following Jack Robinson’s departure to Birmingham City in January.
The defender joined the Blades last summer for an undisclosed fee and quickly established himself as an important part of the side, making 42 appearances in all competitions last season.
Tanganga previously spent time at Millwall, initially joining on loan before making the move permanent in 2024. Before that, he spent 15 years with Tottenham Hotspur after joining their academy at the age of 10.
He made more than 25 league appearances for Spurs, with injuries limiting his opportunities, and also had a spell on loan at German side Augsburg during the 2023/24 campaign.
A former England youth international, Tanganga has also been eligible to represent DR Congo but has previously stated his desire to remain committed to England.
Who are the key men?
Patrick Bamford joined Sheffield United midway through last season and made an immediate impression, scoring 13 goals in 29 appearances across all competitions.
The striker boasts an impressive goalscoring record, with 132 senior career goals to his name. He began his career at Nottingham Forest before joining Chelsea in 2012, although he never made a first-team appearance at Stamford Bridge.
Instead, Bamford gained experience through loan spells with MK Dons, Derby County, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace, Norwich City and Burnley before making a permanent move to Middlesbrough in 2017.
A year later, he joined Leeds United, spending six seasons at Elland Road and scoring 60 goals in 205 appearances. He played a key role in their Championship-winning campaigns in 2019 and 2025 before joining the Blades last November.
Callum O’Hare enjoyed another impressive campaign with Sheffield United last season, recording eight goals and eight assists in 46 appearances.
The midfielder played an important role in the Blades’ run to the Championship play-off final after joining from Coventry City, where he had established himself as one of the division’s standout attacking players.
O’Hare came through the Aston Villa academy and made nine senior appearances for the club, while loan spells with Carlisle United and Coventry helped accelerate his development.
He eventually joined Coventry permanently in 2019 and went on to make 164 appearances, scoring 22 goals and helping the Sky Blues secure promotion back to the Championship.