The 2015-16 League One campaign should have been one to celebrate, but unless a dramatic change in circumstances occurs and United win all of their remaining fixtures, and pushing them into the top six, then supporters are already looking forward to the summer, having written this season off as a failure.
Many will voice their opinions on whom they believe tis the source of the issue behind United's inability to sustain a promotion winning team and results. Speaking as a supporter, I certain believe that this squad of players isn't the least gifted that has graced the Bramall Lane pitch, but in contrast to season's past, even since my first season ticket in 1996 as a teenager, it is certainly been the least desirable of all seasons!
It is with this that I plead United to take a harsh look at themselves, re-assemble the squad from scratch, much like Charlton Athletic did en-route to winning the league in 2012, and bring back the brand of football which Blades fans crave. It may seem like a vast amount of money but I do believe that a transformation such as this can be done of a budget ranging between £2-3,000,000.
Taking into account the current formation used by Nigel Adkins and sourcing players from across the Football League and Premier League, as well as the current crop of Academy players, I would like to think that I have come up with a squad that is more than capable of winning the league in 2016-17 and spearing us back into the Championship.
Sheffield United currently have (to the best of our knowledge) eight players on their books whom will be out of contract as of the 1 July 2016. Florent Cuvelier, Ryan Flynn, Jay McEverley, Mark Howard and George Long, all of whom are currently still with the club could be released. Jose Baxter, who is likely to face a football ban for taking illegal drugs is also on this list. Jamal Campbell-Ryce (at Chesterfield) and Bob Harris (Fleetwood Town) are currently out on loan, but both too out of contract in the summer.
Out: Mark Howard, Jay McEverley, Kieron Freeman, Bob Harris, James Wallace, Paul Coutts, Jose Baxter, Stefan Scougall, Martyn Woolford, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Callum McFadzean, Kieran Wallace.
Goalkeepers
Retain: George Long and George Willis.
Since progressing through the Academy and making his debut at Swansea City in 2011, George Long has inspired into the current number one Blades jersey, leaving Mark Howard behind on the bench. Although I do believe that Howard is cable of filling in, in case of any injuries, United should look to finding a new keeper to compete. Daniel Bentley, 22 gave a good performance in goal for Southend United in their 3-1 win over the Blades, but it is Rochdale's stopper Josh Lillis, 28 who has impressed me the most. Both have played over 100 games for their clubs but Lillis is well known to Nigel Adkins, having started his career with Scunthorpe, and coached by ex-Wednesday legend Kevin Pressman.
Centre-Halves
Retain: Chris Basham and Harrison McGahey.
It has been clear for a few seasons now that the strength of the defence has been a major issue ever since Harry Maguire left for Hull City. If Adkins is to continue with three central defenders, then he will require strength in numbers. I would retain only two of the current squad, but in the event of a possibility I would look to sign David Edgar, whom is on loan from Birmingham City. Alex Baptiste could potentially be a summer signing, whom is currently on loan at Bramall Lane, but this could require parent club Middlesbrough winning promotion to the Premier League first.
Elsewhere I would look to signing John Egan (from Gillingham), whom has made 1 appearance for the Blades in a loan spell previous, Ben Turner (Cardiff City), Mark O'Brien (Southport (currently on loan to Luton) and Bolton Wanderers David Wheater. Bulgaria International Nikolay Bodurov, 29 (Fulham) has seemingly fallen out of favour at Craven Cottage and could potentially be a useful signing.
Wing-Backs
Retain: John Brayford and Graham Kelly
The selection of which players who are both physically strong enough whilst maintaining a decent sprint is imperative for these positions. In an ideal world I would look to reducing the midfield and go one up top, this would free up two positions to include wingers as well as wing-backs - this would prevent any possibility of being short changed when defending a break-away. I would look to retain both Brayford and Academy prospect Kelly.
Northern Ireland International Michael Smith (Peterborough United) or Bradford City's Stephen Darby (both 27) would both prove to be excellent signings on the right hand side. On the left 20 year old Declan John (Cardiff City) could join on a season's long loan if the Bluebirds are not willing to sell, whilst James Husband, 22 (Middlesbrough) could be tempted in a similar deal. Alternatively I would look to recruiting Harry Toffolo, 20 from Norwich City.
Should United move to a much preferred formation, in my opinion, of 3-2-3-3-2-1, then I would like to see United chase most sort after winger Kemar Roofe from League Two Oxford United.
Centre-Midfield
Retain: Ryan Flynn, Louis Reed, Ben Whiteman, Florent Cuvelier (maybe)
I believe that Ryan Flynn has done enough to warrant a contract extension, whilst it seems highly likely that Dean Hammond will make his loan move from Leicester City permanent. Personally I would move away from signing such a player who lacks pace and the inability to pass the ball forwards. Louis Reed and Academy starlet Ben Whiteman would continue in my side, and should he prove his fitness, Florent Cuvelier could be retained.
Filling in the remaining midfielders is a difficult task. I would like to see Darren Pratley included, but his Bolton side look destined to join League One next season from the Championship where the former Swansea man's services are likely to be required. Ed Upson, 26 would be an ideal signing from Millwall, if the Lions fail in their promotion charge. Meanwhile Romain Vincelot (Coventry City) and potentially Conor Hourihane (Barnsley) would also fit the bill.
Forwards
Retain: Billy Sharp, Matt Done, Che Adams, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Diego De Girolamo and Marc McNulty.
It is imperative that the Blades keep hold of star striker Billy Sharp, whom has netted 17 goals at the time of writing. I would look to keep the current crop of strikers, whilst also re-introducing Marc McNulty, whom has scored plenty of goals from the substitute’s bench whilst on-loan at Portsmouth.
Should United be in a position to bring in a new forward line, I would look to bring in Wes Thomas, 29 from Birmingahm City or Walsall's Tom Bradshaw. Southend United striker Jack Payne is out of contract in the summer, though it is believed the Shrimpers are renewing this and any interest from elsewhere will most likely see him in the Championship next season. Whilst controversial, should Ched Evans see his court appeal successful, I would see no argument as to why he shouldn't re-sign as a Sheffield United player.
Based on the players which United could potentially sign, my entire squad this would look like this;
| # | Name | Current Club | Age | Rating | Position |
| 1 | George Long | Sheffield United | 22 | 80 | GK |
| 2 | Harry Toffolo | Norwich City | 20 | 77 | LWB/DM/LM |
| 3 | David Wheater | Bolton Wanderers | 29 | 82 | CB |
| 4 | John Brayford | Sheffield United | 28 | 82 | RB/RWB |
| 5 | Ben Turner | Cardiff City | 28 | 83 | CB |
| 6 | Chris Basham | Sheffield United | 27 | 80 | CB/CM/DM |
| 7 | Ryan Flynn | Sheffield United | 27 | 78 | CM/RM |
| 8 | Romain Vincelot | Coventry City | 30 | 80 | CM/DM |
| 9 | Che Adams | Sheffield United | 19 | 78 | ST |
| 10 | Billy Sharp | Sheffield United | 30 | 82 | ST |
| 11 | Matt Done | Sheffield United | 27 | 78 | ST/LW |
| 12 | Marc McNulty | Sheffield United | 23 | 76 | ST |
| 13 | Josh Lillis | Rochdale | 28 | 78 | GK |
| 14 | John Egan | Gillingham | 23 | 77 | CB |
| 15 | Ben Whiteman | Sheffield United | 19 | 71 | CM |
| 16 | Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Sheffield United | 19 | 70 | ST |
| 17 | Stephen Darby | Bradford City | 27 | 77 | RB/RWB |
| 18 | Conor Hourihane | Barnsley | 25 | 78 | CM |
| 19 | Mark O'Brien | Southport | 23 | 77 | CB |
| 20 | Diego De Girolamo | Sheffield United | 20 | 80 | ST/CAM |
| 21 | Louis Reed | Sheffield United | 18 | 77 | CM/CAM/DM |
| 22 | Ed Upson | Millwall | 26 | 80 | CM |
| 23 | Graham Kelly | Sheffield United | 18 | 71 | LWB |
| 24 | Harrison McGahey | Sheffield United | 20 | 75 | CB |
| 25 | Terry Kennedy | Sheffield United | 22 | 75 | CB |
| 26 | George Willis | Sheffield United | 20 | 70 | GK |
| 27 | Julian Banton | Sheffield United | 20 | 67 | CB |
| 28 | C J hamilton | Sheffield United | 21 | 67 | CM |
| 29 | David Brookes | Sheffield United | 18 | 67 | AM |
Ratings are based from the site soccerwiki.org.