Some Sheffield United players in the past decade have gone on to earn legendary status at Bramall Lane… others had spells a lot less memorable.
Sheffield United fans have enjoyed the best and probably the worst of times in the past 10 years and so, among the latter, it’s unsurprising that there have been some players whose name being mentioned doesn’t exactly rekindle the best of memories.
Even in the good days – we are still in those, by the way, regardless of recent results – there have been men who have pulled on the red and white shirt with very little distinction.
We have decided to take a look back at some of the most disappointing signings of the past decade – some of them were downright poor, while others were genuinely disappointing because we were all expecting so much more.
Take a look through our gallery of disapointment and let us know if there’s anyone we might have missed that you would have added.
United had to try and be clever with their recruitment when they went up to the Premier League under Chris Wilder so they set about brigning in some of the Championship's top players. The problem was, Luke Freeman didn't suit how United played and so he found gametime very hard to come by Photo: Andrew Yates
Could have been brilliant but unfortunately a lack of discipline in looking after himself physically would prove to be his downfall as he could barely play an hour before having to be taken off Photo: Simon Bellis
Came to United from Liverpool as the Reds' youngest ever goalscorer and a reputation as the next big thing to come off the Anfield conveyor belt but it never worked out for him at the Lane. Made just eight appearances and at one point while still contracted to United, went back to Liverpool to play for their u23s before eventually just returning there with the deal ripped up Photo: scc
Plagued by a back injury he picked up on a building site before he turned professional, Holmes worked with boss Chris Wilder at Northampton and reunited with him at Bramall Lane during the first Championship season. After five games in red and white he was released at the end of his contract. “It is a big frustration that things did not work out at United,” he later admitted. Photo: Simon Bellis