It’s been a period of only three promotions to the Premier League but containing plenty of near-misses, drama and a huge turnover of players - some who made their mark and others who, well, simply disappeared without trace. There have been impressive loanees, big-money signings and also bargain frees who have played their part in shaping this club’s recent history.
But who would make a list of the 25 best players to have played for the Blades in the last quarter-of-a-century? It’s an impossible task - but we made our man do it anyway, compiling his thoughts for you to agree with or ridicule. Presented in no particular order, here are our best Blades from the last 25 years...
17. Robert Page
Brought in from Watford to anchor the defence and what a job he did of doing it. You knew what you were going to get from Page – old school defending – and that was exactly what United needed. Still lives locally and now the manager of Wales, of course Photo: The Star
18. Enda Stevens
Another player not helped by a succession of injuries in recent years but at his prime – in United’s promotion season and then particularly in the Premier League – he was genuinely unbelievable. Looking back it seemed like he was nutmegging opposition right-backs for fun and only Wayne Quinn (unfortunate to not make this list) rivals him in recent memory Photo: Simon Bellis
19. John Egan
The unsung hero of the back three that saw Basham and O’Connell attract all the headlines for their attacking, often leaving Egan and Norwood left to shut the back door. An international-class player and worthy choice as club skipper following Sharp’s summer departure | Sportimage
20. Ched Evans
The way it ended has been debated in newspapers, on TV and on messageboards ever since but for the section of the 2011/12 season that Evans was available for, he was unbelievable – 35 goals in 42 games before a rape conviction derailed his career and United’s season. His conviction was subsequently quashed and he was found not guilty at a retrial after serving half of his five-year sentence in prison Photo: Stu Forster