Billy Sharp, the Sheffield United captain, admits he is already looking forward to locking horns with his former club Leeds United next season - and believes that Marcelo Bielsa's side winning promotion is "fantastic for Yorkshire".

The Blades will face their rivals from just up the M1 for the first time in the Premier League since 1994 next season, after Bielsa's side - captained by Sharp's close friend, Liam Cooper - won the Championship title.

Sharp helped United into the Premier League at Leeds' expense in 2018/19, with Bielsa's men eventually losing in the play-offs that season.

And Sharp, who left Leeds to join then-League One United in 2015, said: "It's fantastic for Yorkshire, and a game I'm looking forward to already.

Blades skipper Billy Sharp is a former Leeds United player

placeholder image — Blades skipper Billy Sharp is a former Leeds United player

"Congratulations to them. It got to a stage when I thought the season might not get going again, which would be a huge shame. But it had to get completed. Look at the likes of Liverpool winning the title, and our neighbours Leeds getting promoted."

As United captain, Sharp was involved in numerous Zoom calls throughout lockdown as the Premier League looked for ways to resume the season.

"It was a tough time for a footballer with no games," he added. "But the Premier League and the FA and everyone involved deserve a lot of credit.

"We were under the watchful eye of the rest of the world and we needed to get it right. I think we did. It's a credit to everyone for getting the season back underway and completed."