Sheffield United have been given a decision to make on promotion winner this summer
Whatever the future holds for Sheffield United youngster Ryan Oné, he will return to Bramall Lane this summer with a first promotion on his CV.
After joining Lincoln City on loan for the remainder of the season in January, the Scotland youth international scored his fifth goal for the Imps on Monday to help them seal promotion to the Championship.
The Imps went into their Easter Monday clash with Reading knowing they needed just a point to seal their place back in the second tier after a 65-year absence. Oné headed home the game’s opening goal to help Michael Skubala’s side seal a 2-1 victory.
Lincoln are now unbeaten in 24 league games, a run which has featured 19 victories, and they are now focused on trying to seal the League One title. They are currently 12 points clear of second-placed Cardiff City with five games remaining.
For Oné personally his temporary move to the LNER Stadium could not have worked out much better. United took careful consideration as to where they would send Oné in January as countless League One clubs competed for his signature.
It is easy to say now, of course, but the Blades’ decision to send him to Lincoln has been fully vindicated. The striker has chipped in with five goals in just 11 appearances and has benefited from earning regular first-team football in the English pyramid for the first time.
After Lincoln moved to within touching distance of promotion with a 1-0 win over AFC Wimbledon on Good Friday - a victory that was sealed via a goal from Oné - Skubala saluted the Blades loanee.
“He’s a great talent,” said Skubala. “You can see his speed and his physicality. But I think playing against those centre halves today who are really physical, they’re all dominant, it’s a different type of game that he has to learn.
“But again, he’s got a real good eye for goal.”
Having made an impact in a short period of time at Lincoln, United must soon decide what they believe is the most logical next step in Oné’s development. Blades boss Chris Wilder will almost certainly run the rule over him during pre-season amid his plans to reshape and rebuild his squad after what has been a disappointing campaign at Bramall Lane.
Wilder, of course, is not afraid to lean on youngsters, frequently offering them opportunities to impress. However, there is a sense United desperately need to inject some experience and leadership into their ranks this summer, meaning Oné might not have a prominent role in Wilder’s plans at this stage. The Scot does not turn 20 until late June.
At this stage it is, of course, impossible to offer a suggestion of what Lincoln’s plans may be for their first second tier season since 1960/61, but United might consider the Imps as a club that can offer Oné a reasonable level of game time at Championship level for the very first time should they plan to send him out on loan again.
His record of five goals in 11 games in Lincoln colours paints a positive picture, and Skubala’s comments have proven he holds the Blades attacker in high regard.
Having spent the second half of the season with the Imps in League One, contributing to their promotion success, it could be that Lincoln knock on United’s door again in the summer and ask about the possibility of taking Oné on loan for the season, giving him an opportunity to prove himself in the Championship, with respect, at a club where expectations and demands will not be as high.
Wilder is understood to rate Oné highly, admitting earlier this week that he has a “good profile” and has the hunger to win. What United think the next step in Oné’s development should be remains to be seen, of course, but a second spell at Lincoln, getting the opportunity to feature regularly in the Championship, might not be the worst idea.