Sometimes in football, with all the will in the world and all the scouting data available to clubs, things just don’t go to plan. A player extensively watched can turn into a flop; someone who seemed tailor-made for a role at a club can, for whatever reason, simply not work out. Sheffield United have got a lot right in the transfer market of late but over their recent history have had their fair share of completely forgettable incomings as well.
But some went on to do remarkable things at other clubs, including winning the treble at Scottish giants Celtic and even winning European silverware. So we took a trip down memory lane to pull out 19 players you may have forgotten ever graced Bramall Lane. How many of these can you remember in a United shirt? And extra Blades bonus points if you saw all of them play!
9. Mikele Leigertwood
The midfielder played 21 times for the Blades in the Premier League in 2006/07, suffering his second relegation in as many seasons when the Blades went down. Then joined QPR and played over 130 times for the R’s Photo: Steve Parkin
10. Nicky Law
A surprise debutant against the mighty Manchester United in that Premiership season, Law made only two league starts for the Blades before joining Rotherham after a succession of loan moves. He went on to pay over 100 times for Rangers Photo: Steve Parkin
11. Hao Haidong
A legendary figure in China, making 107 appearances for the national team, Haidong made one appearance for the Blades against Colchester United in a FA Cup defeat at Bramall Lane Photo: Dean Atkins
12. David Johnson
Best known for his spells at Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest, Johnson played four games on loan for the Blades in 2005 before his career was prematurely ended by a back problem Photo: Steve Ellis