Sheffield United will be targeting a winning start to the 2026/27 Championship campaign when they welcome Birmingham City to Bramall Lane at teatime on Saturday.
The Blades, who lost each of their first six Championship matches last season, made a winning start last weekend, beating League One side Mansfield Town 3-0 in the first round of the Carabao Cup at the One Call Stadium.
That created some much-needed positivity following what had been a frustrating summer off the pitch at Bramall Lane due to a lack of transfer activity. However, United secured their fourth signing of the summer on Tuesday, re-signing former loanee Kalvin Phillips from Manchester City to add to the earlier additions of Jaïro Riedewald, Romelle Donovan and Matt Doherty.
Blades manager Chris Wilder did not report any fresh injury concerns when he spoke to the media on Friday morning, meaning it looks as though he will have plenty of options to choose from.
Ahead of their clash with Birmingham, here is how The Star thinks United could line up...
1. GK: Michael Cooper
Coming through his first competitive appearance since February unscathed against Mansfield last weekend, goalkeeper Cooper is in line to make his first Championship appearance in almost six months. He kept eight clean sheets in 34 league games last season, meaning he will be keen to increase that tally this time around. | Getty Images
2. RB: Femi Seriki
Still a United player despite recent interest from Sassuolo, Seriki is widely regarded as one of the first names on the teamsheet. He went up through the gears last season and will be hoping to make the right-back berth his own following the arrival of experienced defender Matt Doherty. | Sportimage
3. CB: Japhet Tanganga
Entering his second season at Bramall Lane, captain Tanganga will be keen to find greater consistency this term. Centre-back options are currently limited in S2, meaning his place in the starting line-up is not up for debate. | Sportimage
4. CB: Mark McGuinness
With centre-backs currently in short supply, McGuinness, despite facing an uncertain future at Bramall Lane ahead of the transfer window closing in just over a fortnight, could find himself starting the Championship opener. He was on the scoresheet against Mansfield last time out. | Getty Images