The Blades have a squad boasting experience and versatility, with several players capable of operating in more than one position or formation. That could prove particularly important now Wilder has to find a way of replacing the creativity lost this summer.
So, what is United’s strongest team now their squad is set until January, and if everyone was hypohetically fit and firing? We’ve picked the XI we believe would give United the best balance, with some good players providing strong alternatives from the bench.
Chris Wilder has already admitted he may need to tweak his shape to suit the options at his disposal and some selections are more straightforward, but there are also a few big calls to make.
Does Liam Kitching go straight in? Where does a fully-fit Kalvin Phillips play? Can Hamza Choudhury keep his place in the side when Femi Seriki returns? And who fills the void left by O’Hare?
Take a look through our picks and let us know whether you agree – or whether you’d go about things slightly differently...
5. LB Harrison Burrows
Currently out with a quad injury and there wasn’t that much between him and Sam McCallum last season but when both are at their peak I think Burrows just slightly edges it from an offensive point of view, although you could easily pick McCallum and not see a noticeable drop off. Rhys Norrington-Davies seems determined to prove he’s not finished at United, too | The STar/Sport image
6. CM Kalvin Phillips
When up to speed, and if fit, there probably aren’t too many better midfielders in the league. He showed what he was about on Tuesday, with the tenacity to win the ball back late on but then the calmness to slow things down and pick the right pass out to Romelle Donovan on the left to score the winner. At his best he slows the game down to his own pace and will surely be one of the first names on the teamsheet when he hits top gear
7. CM Sydie Peck
The question then is who plays alongside Phillips and I still think Peck is a good candidate. Phillips’ presence behind him could perhaps free him up a little to be a bit more adventurous going forward and show the quality and energy he possesses in spades | The Star/Sport Image
8. CM Oliver Arblaster
A really tough selection in midfield but Arblaster just edges out Riedewald, Rothwell and Choudhury for a place in my best side. He’s showing signs of getting back into the swing of things after his injury and subsequent stop/start season and can carry the ball, in a team which has lost a couple of the best in doing exactly that | The Star/Sport Image