It is actually only just over four years since a humiliating last-day defeat at home to Scunthorpe United proved the final straw for boss Nigel Adkins, and paved the way for Chris Wilder to take over his boyhood club. The rest, they say, is history… but here’s what happened to Adkins’ final Blades XI.
5. Matt Done
A striker by trade, Done was often played at left-back by Adkins. He remained after Chris Wilder took over and helped United win the League One title, before rejoining his old club Rochdale Photo: Sport Image
6. Paul Coutts
Often played when not fully fit, Coutts struggled to do himself justice until a change of role under Wilder transformed him. Eventually left the Lane a real hero of the fans after promotion to the Premier League, and is now at Fleetwood Town Photo: Sport Image
7. Dean Hammond
The loudest cheer of the game against Scunthorpe came when it was announced Hammond had been substituted at half-time. Incredibly was allowed to activate a clause giving him another year after Adkins left, and had to be paid up under Wilder Photo: Sport Image
8. Chris Basham
Another player who has thrived under Wilder after a chance of role. Basham is now a key man in United's Premier League side, which is a far cry from the dark days of Adkins' reign Photo: Sport Image