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...
21. Harry Maguire
A star of the United side that reached the 2011 FA Youth Cup final, Maguire delivered on his promise when so many of his teammates didn’t and his class was evident from the beginning. Given a chance by Danny Wilson in League One, Maguire was United’s player of the year for three consecutive seasons – also winning the young player award in his first full campaign – before he moved to Hull, with his career exploding from there | Getty Images
22. John Brayford
The loan version, rather than the one who returned in an expensive permanent deal and saw his career derailed by a serious injury. In his temporary spell Brayford was inspirational, helping United to the semi-finals of the FA Cup at Wembley and an unlikely play-off tilt after they were bottom of the table earlier in the season Photo: James Hardisty
23. Paul Coutts
As the song went, he never gives the ball away. Given a second chance by Chris Wilder after being transfer listed, Coutts established himself as a key man in the League One promotion season and with him pulling the strings in midfield United looked good for another one to the Prem before he suffered a horror injury away at Burton. By the time he was fit again United had signed Norwood Photo: Pete Norton
24. Mark Duffy
Not just for that goal against Wednesday – although that was the undoubted high point of another impressive United career. Duffy was a joy to watch in full flight, the head of a midfield triumvirate with Coutts and Fleck that few in League One – or the Championship – could live with. Such a shame he never achieved his dream of playing in the Premier League Photo: Simon Bellis/Sportimage