Sheffield United are preparing for the most profitable game in English football, the Championship play-off final against Sunderland, which takes place next weekend.
Sheffield United’s journey to Wembley Stadium was relatively smooth, defeating Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate, whereas Sunderland faced Coventry City in an epic match.
The Blades are currently one game away from promotion to the Premier League, with the Championship play-off final taking place on May 24.
Supporters will be nervous for the next six days as they await their fate on the hallowed Wembley grass, with several former players, including current Manchester United defender Harry Maguire, wishing them well on the big stage.
Harry Maguire messages Sheffield United before the Championship play-off final
Maguire, a Blades academy graduate, spent three years with the Sheffield United first team, where he experienced both highs and lows.
The 32-year-old played for the club when they were suffering in League One, making 166 appearances and scoring 12 goals and 10 assists.
Maguire was even part of the United team that lost 5-3 to Hull City in the FA Cup semi-finals in 2014, before joining the Tigers a few months later.
Naturally, the Englishman will feel a connection to the club, and before of their play-off final against Sunderland, the Manchester United star has written a message to Chris Wilder and his teammates.
“It was nice to be back, it was great to see some old faces, they’ve done well this season to get the amount of points that they have, and Chris Wilder has done an amazing job,” Maguire told Sky Sports.
“It’s a big game in the final against Sunderland; it’ll be interesting, and I know my good friend Jordan Pickford supports Sunderland.”
So we’ll have some banter about it, but it’ll be a terrific game, and hopefully Sheff Utd will win.”
Maguire’s career after leaving Sheffield United.
Maguire was notably signed by Hull City in 2014 in a £2.5 million double transfer that also brought Andy Robertson to the MKM Stadium.
From there, he’s established himself as an elite Premier League defender. He spent only three seasons in East Yorkshire before signing for Leicester City for £17 million in 2017 after Hull was relegated.
Maguire was then signed for a staggering £80 million by Manchester United in 2019, setting a global record for a defender after only two seasons at the King Power Stadium.
| Harry Maguire since leaving Sheffield United | Appearances |
| Hull City | 75 |
| Leicester City | 76 |
| Manchester United | 244 |
Although Maguire has received mixed reviews since transferring to Old Trafford, he has made 244 appearances for the club and is a crucial part of Ruben Amorim’s squad.
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