Having missed out on last season's League One play-offs the Blades will be eager to make amends this time around. The United chief Nigel Clough has been quick to recruit a new squad and at the time of writing has made 9 summer signings. He has drafted in; Craig Alcock (Peterborough United), James Wallace (Tranmere Rovers), Andy Butler (Walsall), Chris Basham (Blackpool), Michael Higdon (NEC), Marc McNulty (Livingston), Harrison McGahey (Blackpool), Ben Davies (Derby County) and Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Nott's County).
However the club have allowed a number of players leave; Febian Brandy (Rotherham United), Lyle Taylor (Scunthorpe United), Sean McGinty (Rochdale), Shaun Miller (Coventry City) and Harry Maguire (Hull City) in a £2,500,000 deal. He has also allowed George Long (Oxford United) and Callum McFadzean (Burton Albion) leave on loan.
United are expected to line-up with a fully fit squad to face Bristol City this weekend, although they will be without forgotten Belgian midfielder Florent Cuvelier (ligaments) through injury. He was injured whilst on loan at Port Vale last season.
The Blades are likely to give a debut to former Bristol City forward Jamal Campbell-Ryce who lists the Robins as one of the thirteen clubs he has represented. He joined the Ashton Gate club from Barnsley in January 2010 and made his debut in a 0-6 home defeat to Cardiff City and later in the season was dismissed at Plymouth Argyle. In February 2012 he joined Leyton Orient having made 49 (+16) appearances and scored twice.
Blades Possible Line-up: (4-4-1-1)
Bristol City manager Steve Cotterill has also been busy during the summer in assembling a squad which can finish higher than last seasons twelfth placed position. The Robins have had a good pre-season - beating; Portishead Town (6-1), Extention Gunners (3-0), Botswanna (1-0) and recently Cheltenham Town (4-1). There only defeat came to the hands of Weston-super-Mare (1-2).
They have also been busy in the transfer market too and have acquired; Wade Elliott (Birmingham City), Mark Little (Peterborough United), Luke Freeman (Stevenage), Korey Smith (Oldham Athletic), Aaron Wilbraham (Crystal Palace) and Luke Ayling (Yeovil Town) whilst allowing Liam Kelly (Oldham Athletic), Mitch Brundle (Braintree) and Brendan Maloney (Yeovil Town) to leave Ashton Gate.
Ground improvements at Ashton Gate is also being undertaken into improving the stadium's look and increase the capacity in way of demolishing and rebuilding the 5,800 seated Wedlock Stand which will see the ground entertain both football and rugby matches from the start of the 2016/17 season.
The Robins may be without defender Karleigh Osborne (shin) through injury but the Reds boss hasn't ruled out him taking part in this Saturday's curtain raiser. Cotterill told bcfc.co.uk; “Karleigh’s had his stitches out now. He’s a bit sore but we certainly haven’t ruled him out for the weekend at this stage. “I think it’s important we don’t look back on the South Africa and Botswana trip and judge it solely on one injury to Karleigh. Yes, it was a bad tackle, but you get those in games up and down the country, pre-season friendly or not.”
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Bristol City 0