Sheffield United finished their pre-season campaign on a positive note, defeating Premier League side Fulham 3-2 behind closed doors on Saturday. Emile Smith Rowe scored the opening goal for the hosts in the 16th minute.
However, United answered on 28 minutes when striker Tom Cannon converted a penalty kick after Louie Barry was taken down in the box, restoring parity.
Fulham started the second half with a bit between their teeth, and despite United goalkeeper Adam Davies making two excellent saves, he could do little to prevent Raul Jimenez from heading home on 51 minutes to make the score 2-1.
After Callum O’Hare was pulled down on a dangerous break, Andre Brooks tapped the loose ball into the net, only for the offside flag to come up. However, the referee restarted play for the original foul, allowing Barry to walk up and calmly take his penalty.
With the play extended to allow for more minutes and squad rotation, both teams strengthened their defenses in the final 30 minutes. However, the key blow came late. United’s high pressure forced Fulham into a blunder in the 116th minute, allowing O’Hare to score the winner.
Sheffield United striker set to go, with midfielder on the verge of signing
With the new campaign less than a week away, transfer activity has begun to pick up. Towering striker Kieffer Moore had a medical at Wrexham this weekend, as revealed live on Sky Sports, and the Welsh club is set to seal a high-profile deal worth over £2 million. The soon-to-be 33-year-old, who has Premier League and international experience with Wales, is regarded as a significant acquisition for Phil Parkinson’s team as they prepare for their new life in the Championship.
Meanwhile, Braga defensive midfielder Djibril Soumare was pictured at Manchester Airport this weekend, having finally received his work permit. The 22-year-old will finish his season-long loan with Sheffield United early next week.
The Blades could reunite with Oli McBurnie this summer, a year after he left the club to join Spanish side Las Palmas. Following their relegation to the second tier, a condition in the Scot’s contract was invoked, allowing him to become a free agent. Multiple Championship clubs are vying for his signature, with United’s contract offer now officially on the table, according to The Star.
McBurnie scored 13 goals in his last Championship season for Sheffield United, helping the Blades secure automatic promotion. A return to Bramall Lane would strengthen the club’s striking options, since Tyrese Campbell and Tom Cannon are the only senior strikers currently on the books, with Moore on his way out of S2.
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