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!
17. Andy Morrison
Formerly of Plymouth, Blackpool, Huddersfield and Manchester City, the Scottish defender played four times on loan for the Blades in 2001 Photo: Roger Nadal
18. Andy Smith
The Northern Irish striker (top) joined United from Ballyclare Comrades, leaving after playing six times without scoring. He scored 31 times in 64 games for Glentoran, earning a move to Preston North End in 2004. Later worked as a coach under another forgotten ex-Blade, Bruno Ribeiro (pictured left) Photo: Paul David Drabble
19. Manuel Thetis
His Sheffield United career amounted to one game, of which there is no picture evidence, so here he is in action for Ipswich against Blades striker Marcelo Photo: Waistell