Sheffield United are issued with a warning ahead of the new Premier League season

Despite being told they were destined for relegation after being promoted last term, Chris Wilder’s side began preparing for Sunday’s final match of the present season in eighth and having entered Monday’s defeat by Everton still chasing a place in Europe.

Although Wilder told his players they should be proud of their achievements over the past 11 months, he said: “We’ve earned the right to play at this level and we have to work hard to keep doing that.

“The club is where it wants to be and the supporters recognise that, I think they’re hugely proud of what has been achieved but it’s not the time to stand back and enjoy the view. We’ve climbed the mountain and now we have to climb a few more. It’s not about how far you’ve come - it’s about how far you want to go.”

Wilder began the process of reshaping his squad last week, when Wes Foderingham arrived on a free transfer after leaving Rangers. United hope the goalkeeper will be joined at Bramall Lane by Reading midfielder John Swift, who started his career with Chelsea.

“That’s always going to be our thought process, that if you think you’ve made it the game has a habit of dealing with you accordingly,” Wilder said ahead of the trip to Southampton. “That’s not something we want to happen.”

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