Sheffield United are preparing for the most lucrative game in English football as they face off against Sunderland in the Championship play-off final 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 sends Sheffield United message ahead of 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 since leaving Sheffield United
In 2014, Maguire was famously snatched up by Hull City in a £2.5 million double transfer that also saw Andy Robertson move to the MKM Stadium.
Since then, he has established himself as an elite Premier League defender. He lasted only three seasons in East Yorkshire before joining Leicester City for £17 million in 2017, following Hull’s relegation.
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 moving to Old Trafford, he has made 244 appearances for the club and is an important part of Ruben Amorim’s squad.
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