How Boris Johnson could this week change the face of pre-season for Sheffield United

A few thousand fans returned to Bramall Lane for the first time since last March at the weekend, to watch their side sign off from the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Burnley.

The next set of restrictions are scheduled to be lifted on June 21 and despite mounting concern over the threat of new variants of Covid-19, the government’s road-map targets have so far been met.

Johnson originally pledged that all limits would be lifted by June, and the Daily Telegraph report that the prime minister is set to make an announcement this week that restrictions at football stadiums will be lifted as planned next month.

Aaron Ramsdale hails Sheffield United fans for helping Blades over line against Burnley

If that transpires, then United fans will be allowed back at their club’s pre-season games, and away fans should also be permitted as well. When supporters returned to Premier League stadia earlier this month, only those of the home club were permitted entry.

United’s pre-season plans have not been announced yet, but it’s understood that interim boss Paul Heckingbottom has helped to shape them as the club continues its search for a new permanent manager.

Slavisa Jokanovic, previously of Watford and Fulham, remains the popular choice, while the likes of Alexander Blessin and Philippe Clement, currently of Club Brugge, have also been considered by the United hierarchy.

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