As many as 16 players could leave Bramall Lane this summer, as things stand, when their contracts expire and although three of those are loanees, 13 permanent Blades are approaching the final months of their present deals.
Some of the 13 have options in their contracts which will allow United to extend them by a further season – but some saw such clauses exercised last season and would need to negotiate fresh terms if they were to stay at Bramall Lane.
Boss Paul Heckingbottom this week suggested United need to keep all their current squad members ahead of the Premier League season, and use the budget at his disposal on four or five additions for the top-flight. So we had a look, in squad number order, at the players United are in danger of losing – with some real fan favourites nearing the expiry of their Bramall Lane deals ...
5. Oli McBurnie (26)
McBurnie produced the best form of his time at Bramall Lane to help United into the Premier League and has made no secret of his desire to stay, clearly enjoying his football under Paul Heckingbottom and striker coach Jack Lester. United's former £20m signing, it is surely a no-brainer to keep him at the club Photo: Darren Staples
6. Billy Sharp (37)
Now 37, Sharp has insisted that he is still capable of doing a job for his boyhood club and would love to stay beyond this summer. He saw a one-year extension triggered last season so fresh terms would have to be agreed between both parties if his remarkable Lane story is to continue Photo: Darren Staples
7. Ollie Norwood (31)
Another performing admirably for the Blades this season, Norwood another who has made no secret of the fact that he doesn’t want to leave the Lane and is celebrating a remarkable fourth promotion in five seasons from the Championship Photo: Ashley Crowden
8. Ismaila Coulibaly (22)
The Malian youngster has had fleeting tastes of first-team football in the FA Cup this season and boss Heckingbottom has talked about potentially loaning him out next season, suggesting the Blades are minded to keep him around beyond this summer Photo: Simon Bellis