Season Review / School Report 24/25: Part 4 - Defence

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2024/25 SUFC SEASON REVIEW / SCHOOL REPORT: Part 4



Defenders



Harry Souttar Souttar was born in Scotland, but qualified for Australia through his Mum – although his brother John (who we were once linked with) opted to play for the tartan army. Souttar played briefly for Dundee United but then moved to Stoke City. He had a long period at the Potters and established himself, after some initial loan spells. He played for Australia for the first time in 2019 and has played at the 2020 Olympics and 2022 World Cup for the Socceroo’s. His performances for Stoke and Australia earned him a lucrative move to Leicester in 2023 for a fee of 15 million. He played a fair bit in the Premier League as the Foxes went down but then was not really involved in the Championship promotion season, which was a surprise but he only played 3 times – he has a few injuries which did not help. Whenever I saw him play for Stoke, I thought he looked a bit clumsy and a bit of an oaf – recall us taking Stoke apart when he played. When we signed him, I was not totally in favour as thought if he could not get in the Leicester side at this level, why did we think he would be a solid starter? Of course, he had shown real potential earning his big money move and the one thing we missed last season was size/brute force at the back. He certainly brought that being of such huge stature.



We started the season with Anel and Robinson but eventually due to a few injuries, he got in and actually it became clear it would be Souttar and one other – quickly found to be Anel. The two forged an impressive partnership as we went on long clean sheet runs. Souttar was as expected immense in the air but also better than I remembered on the deck and a good footballer. He lacked pace but read the game quite well which helped compensate for any mobility restrictions – of course Anel ended up doing what he does best and sweeping up behind. With these two and Cooper behind, we looked almost impenetrable at times. I recall him dominating in many games – the Sheffield Derby stood out but there were many others. He was not perfect – recall him losing big headers at Leeds and Coventry for goals and the daft sending off at home to Sunderland but overall, he had proved to be a quality signing and with Souza in front, we were not longer a soft touch. He also had to contend with long journeys half way across the world and back – for his country.



He started 20 games I believe in the league and I think we kept 14 clean sheets in those which is incredible. We saw a big drop off when sadly he ruptured his Achilles tendon in the defeat at Burnley and sadly we were not to see him again. The defensive solidity was not there anymore and the number of goals we conceded rose sharply after he went out. We never really replaced him – Holding came in but was not a starter and a different type of player. I expect with this sort of injury- often can take 6-8 months and not sure he would even be fit for the start of next season so not sure we go back in for him but would not be surprised if we see him at the Lane again in the future. Seemed to love it here and the fans took to him. He has a long contract at Leicester and maybe they may see his success at the Championship with us and involve him more next time out? I think due to his injury though, we can forget about him returning any time soon.



Grade B+ (Last season NA)



Jack Robinson Remained as part of the side in the second year of his two year deal but after the disaster of the defensive department last season, you hoped we would upgrade. Souttar came in but we started with same two that struggled last year. Granted it was a lower level and Robinson had done ok at this level. I still felt we needed to upgrade and needed some domination in this area. A poor mistake at home to QPR saw us give away a lead. Souttar did come in and our best defensive period was with him and Anel. As a back up, I felt JLT was perfect for this level and a really handy lad to have around. We kept a number of clean sheets and even though he played the odd game, he was now the back up. We seemed far more solid at the back.



Anel had a few games out injured and red cards but Robinson did ok I felt – nothing disastrous and he was ok. However, after Souttar went out injured we had to go back to Robinson and Anel for a period of games. I felt we must bring someone in but it took too long and then Holding came in – he was strangely not used. We kept winning and Robinson was effective enough and quietly went about his job so remained in the side and not sure there was tons of criticism as we were top of the league.



Robinson had been ok and I am not sure he was dreadful but slowly we started to concede more goals and the defensive fragility we saw again started to creep in. Leeds at home I felt big moments he did not get the headers when he needed to and too many goals saw him at full stretch and not tight enough (Bristol City home). His passing and overplay led to some mistakes but the bigger concern was for all the so-called big tackles and swashbuckling style he is supposed to show, he routinely lost big headers in key moments and got outmuscled in games by opposition centre forwards. He made a number of errors in the fatal week in April. At this stage, you thought what had we have to lose by bringing Holding in? He did come in for the win v Cardiff and against Stoke and had some time with Holding. He was ok in the away leg to be fair after people called for Holding – me included. Was solid in both games against Bristol City though but then a big moment, one on one with Mayenda, he backs off and they score the vital leveller and go on and win.



He has apparently activated another year due to the games he has played but I do not want to see him as a starter moving forward – he has been a decent pro but still makes too many mistakes for me (less than he used to) and his ponderous play with the ball and inability to win the one to ones – means that we really need to be moving on from this sort of player. He may stay for another year but that really ought to be the final year of him being here – he has done a steady job but we need to be upgrading in this area if we want to progress. Should not be starting next year.



Grade C (Last season C)



Anel Ahmedhodzic I was ready to move on and was hoping someone may come in last summer and give us at least our money back (or even more) after he was pretty abject in the top flight. I was surprised he was so bad as thought that in terms of technically/pace and anticipation, he would be fine but the opposite happened. He struggled with the physicality and movement and his body language became really poor – he looked disinterested and often would wave his arms up. I loved him in the promotion season and he weighed in with vital goals but looked a shadow of the player we saw back then – only a few months on. He just could not cope with the step up and like with Souza, I did not like how he behaved and acted on the field. He did not show an leadership and just looked almost like he had downed tools. I am not sure that many teams were looking at him which was not a surprised after the number of goals we conceded and he was set to stay. The trade-off that we knew he could do it at the Championship and the lower level should see him ok and so it proved.



He began the season well and forged an excellent partnership with Souttar. There was all the stuff with his Dad and the national team which he has now come away from – and he got a great reception in the game at Hull and was genuinely touched by the fans as he was outstanding in a 2-0 win. His performances were consistently good and looked like the excellent player he had been a season before. He was just steady and composed and did all the little things we needed to do, in order to preserve several clean sheets. We looked so good at the back – which was incredible after being so bad – but he was the only one remaining as we had Burrows and Cooper joining Souttar. We became tough to score against and it seemed this would be the bedrock of the side to go up. His partnership with Souttar just worked, as the big lad won the headers and attacked things and then he just swept up around him.



He had some poor moments – the stupid red card at Coventry stands out and he grapples/grabs and unnecessarily fouls too much – but overall, he had quietly been one of our outstanding players of the season. Souttar then went out injured and it was remarkable that he started to struggle at times in games as we had no aerial presence. However, we still were winning games, even if we were conceding more but gradually those crosses/headers started to be won by opponents and the goals per game went up. I am not sure he and Robinson were awful in many games but the partnership does not work as well and you compare those two to Burnley/Leeds and we were the weakest team of the three in terms of having that defensive solidarity (Leeds keeper notwithstanding). He started to make some mistakes in terms of goals going in when he was closest to the man/headers leading to goals (Oxford/Millwall/Plymouth). He ended up roaming around more and not keeping his position as he tried to make things happen but we ended up with big gaps. He was rested towards the end of the season but came back to score against Blackburn and got three goals – which was three more than Souza and Peck. Played well at Ashton Gate and then carried this on in the return leg but off the field when they scored the winner at Wembley.



He has another year left on his contract and no issues if he seeks a move/club seek to cash in. He had an excellent first year in the Champ, was really poor in the Prem and was ok-average this year. I think that this season probably is a fairer indication of where he is at – clearly needs a dominant but is too inconsistent and not sure he is top flight level. I think if he moves, he may go abroad but with only a year left we will struggle to get much more than our cash back. If we are offered less, then you may as well keep him and just let him walk end of next season.



Grade B- (Last season E-)





Alfie Gilchrist Initially a youth player at QPR, he moved to his boyhood club Chelsea when he was 11. He came through the various youth ranks and was compared to former Blues legend John Terry for his playing style and sharing his position. He signed his first pro contract in 2020 and made the subs bench at the end of the 22-23 season. He played a bit – mostly off the bench – in the 23-24 season and scored his first goal and clearly loved it racing away to celebrate – against Everton. United signed him on loan for the 24-25 season and on the face of it, it seemed a good signing as he could play a few positions and with Baldock/Bogle moving on, we needed players in this area. He seemed the sort of competitor that Wilder would enjoy working with. He started well with a good performance against Preston but then was not quite as convincing against Wrexham/QPR. He was a regular for the opening months. I thought for the most part he did ok and defended with a no-nonsense attitude even if his touch/passing was poorer than I would expect for a top flight players. He loved a tackle and showed he loved to get stuck in. He seemed to like to defend which is a rarity at times. There were mistakes in terms of losing his man and had issues positionally at times. He had a few games at centre back and did ok here but the issues of his lack of size was evidenced (WBA away). He also seemed to tire quite easy but we forget it was his first season as a pro so understandable. I thought he started the season ok – decent but did regress and as we got injuries and the defence changed, he dropped off and recall Sunderland at the Lane and the lad Watson giving him a run around and was poor in the home defeat to Hull. Seriki started to get a chance and then we signed another right back in Harry Clarke and he was out of the side. He did pick up an injury and went back to Chelsea and we did not see him for a while.



He returned and came on as a sub against Coventry in March and was on the bench v Oxford too but then dropped out but with Clarke going back and then Seriki’s injury issues – we went with Choudhury before Gilchrist played against Blackburn but again was totally convincing. Was around the squad but never really used again.



His contract is only until next season (2026) which surprised me as Chelsea normally get young players tied down for long deals and move them out on loan (recall Jamal Blackman, who we had, doing that for about 7 or 8 seasons!). I have to say I am not convinced he will ever be a Premier League player. I do not see that he has the technical ability and calmness to play at this level. He seems a bit panicky and positionally he has issues in that I am not sure he is right back at all but lacks size for centre back (maybe it might work in a three?). I see his career trajectory as being mid to lower Championship at best. I might be wrong but I often thought he was one of the weak links in our defence, even when he did have a few decent games. The fact Wilder brought Clarke in and then preferred Seriki says he did not totally trust Gilchrist.



Grade C- (Last season NA)

 

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Harrison Burrows A player that had always looked promising and impressed me, when I saw him for Peterborough as he scored and set up goals. Looked to have a lovely left foot and took a good set play. Seemed the sort of player that could player high and still young enough to make the step up. We were linked with him for a long while over the summer but at various stages, you felt we would not sign him as others such as Leeds became linked at the last minute. We eventually got the deal done and we were hoping with the issues in this area for maybe 2-3 years (RND injuries, Lowe lack of form and then poor loans like Larouci and Thomas) he could be our player in this position – for the foreseeable future.



Began the season with a decent showing at Preston but then we saw his defensive issues at home to QPR – which Posh fans had spoken of, in terms of him maybe being a better wing back. He adapted to the higher level and his performances got better and better. Showed he could get forward and be a threat with his crossing and set plays and involved in assisting a few goals. He looked a neat and tidy player what was good on the ball but his defensive play started to improve – in terms of positional sense. He had a great run where he scored a few goals – at Blackburn with a lovely angled shot and then the big goal at Bristol City – a fantastic strike in the final minute. He continued to develop and be part of the excellent defence. He had a few less effective games and was rotated with McCallum a fair bit – but became our penalty taker as a few missed – scoring three in quick succession v Norwich and at Swansea. He then had a spell where he ended up in midfield – due to injuries but struggled here. I felt his performances dropped off towards the end of the season and he seemed less confident to go forward or do things quicker/first time and ended up taking too many touches. He did return to form with a great performance and calm penalty at Ashton Gate and was much more assertive attacking wise and this carried on with another really good showing and 2 (kind of 3) assists for the goals as he looked to be purring again. Then he looked to have scored at Wembley but it was chalked off and then he is out of position a bit for the leveller.



Overall, he was an excellent signing and for the reported price – a bargain really. Lovely left foot, a good all-round footballer and can weigh in with goals/crosses with his ability to knock crosses in. He seems set to be our left back for a good few years moving forward. Whether he has the pace and athleticism to play top level – I am not sure but I look at Enda Stevens and even higher up, Andy Robertson at Liverpool and not sure they were quick or athletic? We saw with the likes of Anel and Souza – that doing well at this level does not automatically mean you can step up. He is not the quickest and as I say, he will need to improve the defensive side to his game but overall, he is someone who you hope we can develop and can improve. To be a regular in a side at the top of the league – he will be pleased with his season and contribution.



Grade B (Last season NA)



Femi Seriki If someone had said a year ago that Seriki would even be that close to the first team squad, let along ending up a regular starter as the season moved towards the end, I would have thought them to be mad. Seriki’s United career seemed to be over when I wrote this article a year ago. He had struggled at Rochdale to convince and then could not even get in a poor Rotherham side. We brought in Gilchrist and Shackleton but Bogle moved on and there was some discussion whether the two newcomers’ best positions were even right back? Seriki played a fair bit in pre-season and came on at Preston. He got injured though against Wrexham after starting the game superbly so it became a bit stop start despite Wilder clearly trusting him to be around the first team. He was mostly used a sub but seemed to always do well and provide energy and an attacking threat. He really came into the spotlight when he came on for Gilchrist and was superb against Wednesday as him and Peck were excellent in the win. This showed him to be a bona fide player who we could count on. He struggled a bit more against Coventry but then was superb in the win against Oxford and then did well off the bench against Sunderland. His pace, trickery and positive running meant we often had a different option down the right side – as opposed to the defensive Gilchrist. There was talk of Seriki struggling defensively but not sure we saw these issues as much as people seemed to suggest? He did make odd mistakes positionally and I suppose he often came on and was more care free in terms of being given the reigns to get forward as we looked to turn games or see them out. However, I have to say I was always more impressed with him than Gilchrist and looked a player that we thought we had when he burst through a few years ago.



He did have injury/fitness issues which meant he struggled to put games together and rarely started games consecutively but we saw more of his impact from the bench – excellent in the come back at Swansea – before the inability to stay fit hit again. He was out for period and we missed what he provided before he came back almost 6 weeks later. After coming on against Preston, he got into the side with Gilchrist and newcomer Clarke, both also injured. He played well and remained in the side for games against Wednesday where he again impressed and set up a goal against Coventry. He then became one of our main threats in the run of poor defeats which said a lot about the rest that he was being entrusted to be the one thrusting forward and providing that outlet. He was sort of in and out towards the end of the season but whenever we saw him, he offered a real attacking option down the right. Problems with injuries continued and he went down right before the end of the final game and hurt his shoulder/arm and this sadly put him out of the playoffs it seems but had a brief cameo at Wembley.



Overall, he will be delighted to not only be around the squad after seemingly looking a long way off this standard and maybe on his way out – to becoming a starting calibre player. Sure, there are issues over his fitness/injury record he needs to improve on and his defensive awareness/positioning needs work too. However, I see a player with the raw attributes that can be developed and someone, like Burrows, I would like us to persist with and try and see if he can keep improving. I would prefer this with maybe some experience to compete with him – than going down the loan route signing other teams’ young players – like Gilchrist and Clarke – that do not even look as good as him!





Grade B- (Last season NA)





Jamie Shackleton Seemed a bit of a left field signing when he came in and was one of our first of the summer which made it even more distinctly overwhelming. He had been at Leeds since he was 7 totalling almost 18 years but never properly established himself. He actually played the most when Marcelo Bielsa was manager and played 22 games in the 19-20 season when Leeds won the league (behind closed doors due to Covid) after missing out to the Blades the year before. Whenever I saw him, I always thought he was more of a fill in/scrapper type who could play a few positions but lacked the quality to be a regular starter. He went on loan to Millwall in the 22-23 season and was a regular here but returned to Leeds and mostly was a squad player last season – only making 11 appearances. Wilder maybe saw him as cheap utility player – there were talks Leeds offered him a deal but must have been a poorer contract then the one we offered – and he came to the Lane.



He played mostly right back pre-season but of course could play midfield too. He had suffered from injuries last season and got another early in his United career. He was mostly used as a sub in his early appearances and a defensive minded player who could just give us legs to finish games. He started just two games – Swansea and then Leeds but barely lasted an hour in each and struggled in the latter when Wilder tried to be too clever maybe with his squad rotation. Shackelton found the going tough against his home town club as they have real threats down the side. After this he only came on as sub and was again used in both defence and attack. His last game was against Plymouth and then he picked up another injury. When he played, he was not convincing to me. He is quite small but lacks pace and real ability on the ball. I was unsure what his qualities actually were – even Osborn looked steadier than him – in making a like for like comparison. The only time he really hit the headlines was the week after his final sub appearance – just before Xmas. This was when he was arrested for drink driving when bizarrely he was found at a nature reserve parked up late on a Saturday evening. He stands trial for this in June.



We kept hearing he was going to be back fit but it never seemed to happen and was not seen on the pitch again despite Wilder saying he was back in training in a few press conferences. A signing that did not work out. I would rather have seen some of the younger players come through and he seemed to be just taking up a squad place but not offering much at all. Still has another 2 years left on his deal but do not see him anywhere near the right back or midfield starting areas and the odd cup game appearance might be all we see of him.



Grade E- (Last season NA)



Sam McCallum Came in a week after the Shackleton signing and was another early July transfer that had you wondering what sort of season we had ahead if this was the calibre of player we were bringing in? We did sign some better quality/pedigree players in the weeks after. That is no offence to McCallum who has spent most of his career in the Championship and indeed played a lot for Norwich last season.



After he began his career at Coventry, he moved to Norwich for around £3.5 million in 2020 but went back to Coventry (twice) on loan and had another temporary move to QPR. He did start most games for Norwich last season but the Canaries fans were not devastated he had left and the fact they allowed him to run down his deal and did not even try and keep him was a worry? Seen as another that was a bit of a utility player in that he could play left side of defence and midfield – he even ended up playing a few games for us in the centre of midfield when we had a plethora of injury problems.



I have to say, he impressed me more than Shackleton whenever I saw him and at least had some positive contributions. He looked a decent athlete and was excellent in the air, with a real spring on him. He was used as an effective sub in the early games and scored a cracker at Hull. However, when he did get starts when we rotated things – he never seemed quite as effective I felt. Off the bench he gave us high intensity and energy and got up and down but had to do more when started – defend more, or offer more on the ball and we saw his lack of quality when given more minutes. Often he was best used when we were seeing out narrow games and he was needed to give us some protection down the left. I thought generally after he started the season ok, he was not as effective and we saw less of him – even from the bench. He has been available though and that is a plus when we have had so many go down with knocks/injuries. He ended up being involved in match day squads most weeks and was handy in that he could play a few positions. Started the final few games and scored at Stoke with a brave header but he also showed his limitations in the same game and his crossing was appalling.



Overall, not sure he is close to being a starter at the top level but as a squad fill in – he is ok to have around but expect we may see him less and less if we want to drive the quality levels up. I think with the new owners and seemingly investing, the likes of McCallum and Shackleton would not be the sort of players we would probably be looking at now but is under contract for another 3 seasons which seemed a reach in the type of deal we gave him?



Grade C (Last season F)



Rhys Norrington Davies Really surprised we kept him and even more surprised at the length of the deal we gave him. This was after 2 seasons ago; he had started the Championship campaign in great form as a left sided centre back but got a bad injury that saw him miss the World Cup. He got back in the Premier League but got injured again and only played 5 times. He had only played around 40% of the games he could have played in a 3 season span and you just sensed despite his promise (was allegedly linked with some Premier League sides like Palace and Leicester) that he would be released. The deal for him to stay made more sense if it was a one-year deal with incentives based on appearances especially with Lowe moving on and us not really having any options here (until we did sign McCallum and Burrows). What was bizarre was we signed those two and then gave him a new deal – a three-year contract.



He only played early in the cups and was awful at Barnsley I recall. He made his first start at Leeds but was awful and got torn apart. He was then only used as a sub and then would be out for a few weeks here and there with more injury issues. He played in the game at the Lane against Cardiff and was dreadful – he was at fault for the goal and looked like he was going to make a mistake every time the ball went near him – he was one of the more experienced players selected too. Somehow he got another start at Swansea but his wretched form against the Welsh clubs continued and he was given a real going over in the first half, as his mistakes led to chances galore and he easily could have conceded a penalty and been sent off. He was taken off in this game at half time and the game changed after he departed.



We never saw him again as he had picked up an injury apparently that would sideline him for the rest of the season. It was sadly no great blow as no sure we would have seen him involved after how he had played in those games. I am not quite sure what his future will be – the injuries he has sustained means he is not close to the same player as he can barely run at a sprint and seems so slow and sluggish. He lacks the physicality and aggression he showed (at least in an effective manner) and he offers little going forward. Just looks a slow, unfit and technically poor player – which he was not before the injuries. I wonder how long his career will go on for- of course we have him for another 2 years but I would be surprised if we see much of him. Players like him and Shackleton are the blueprint of players we should be moving away from – we need athleticism, pace and people who are good on the ball.



Grade F (Last season F)





Harry Clarke From Ipswich originally, Clarke began his career at Arsenal, but after a series of loans – including Stoke, he went back to the Tractor Boys on a permanent deal. He was part of an Ipswich side that had back-to-back promotions and became a favourite down there – playing 35 times in the Championship promotion campaign last season. As Ipswich brought players in, Clarke was not a regular starter but played 7 games but seemed to be out of the picture when United stepped in to bring him to the Lane. There was talk of Wednesday being interested but with doubts over Gilchrist and Seriki’s fitness continuing to be a concern, Wilder took him for the rest of the season. I think I would have preferred more experience but he had done well at this level before. He did ok at Derby on debut but was awful against Portsmouth as Josh Murphy took him apart and not sure he totally convinced in the following games. I thought that he was not much better than Gilchrist and soon Seriki was back in and Clarke seemed to be another that picked up an injury. With the loan rules, it seemed it would be him or Gilchrist playing/in the squad and we saw little of him after this. He played at Plymouth but was poor. We then heard he had another injury and was out for the season. Bit of an odd signing that did not really work out – he only started three games. We will see if he can get back to playing regularly for Ipswich now they have come back down.



Grade E- (Last season NA)



Rob Holding Holding is someone that seems to have been around for ages and it seems a long time since he was this promising player Arsenal signed from Bolton in 2021 (he was 21 then). He always seemed in and around the first team squad but of course had a series of injuries but played 98 times in his 7 seasons at the Emirates. He signed for Palace for a decent fee of around 4 million in September 2023 but has not played for them (1 EFL game) and was completely frozen out which seemed odd really. People debated if he was fit but was playing for the u21’s. United saw his experience as being someone who could help with Souttar out. I will be honest; I would have preferred someone who could come straight in (he had barely played for 2 seasons so would not exactly be match sharp) and someone more dominant aerially. The signing seemed even more bizarre when despite us starting to ship goals, Wilder did not pick him at all. He did come on and do well at Luton but was mostly used off the bench to see games out. He started against Bristol City and did well with Anel rested/fear of suspension but then was back on the bench for the Sheffield Derby. I was surprised he was not used more after he had looked quite composed and solid in the minutes he did get. After some poor displays, he was oddly still not used and although struggled against Millwall /Plymouth (they all did) I could not believe that he was not used more and we persisted with Robinson until Holding came in v Cardiff. He looked fine and was calm but came off near the end. Wilder talked about not being fit enough due to not having enough game time but it was Wilder that did not give him time to get match sharp/fit! He returned at Stoke and did ok again and kept his place against Blackburn as we paired him with both Anel and Robinson but was taken out for the playoffs. Would have liked to have seen him for the final period of the final as if Wilder was going defensive, then put a defender on.



Not sure he is someone we pursue (be on big wages) as not sure we can be certain he will be available all the time due to his history and we need an aerially dominant centre back (not sure he is that – quite an accomplished player more so I would say) to partner likes of Anel.



Grade C+ (Last season NA )

 

[Deadbat]

Jamal Baptiste Baptise had come through at West Ham and played for the u21’s when he was only 15 and then came on as sub for the first team in the League Cup against Doncaster when he was only 18. His first start was in the Europa League against Dinamo Zagreb. He did not really get any further chances and was also struggling as he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome which affects the muscles and nervous system – which did not help him progress. He left and joined Man City – but was loaned out to partner club Lommel but barely featured before City released him last summer. A few clubs were linked with him and he went on trial to more than just United – went to Portsmouth for a period - but he opted to sign for us having to play a number of u21 games.



He quickly impressed for the u21’s but recall one game he came on a sub and scored and then got sent off! Due to a few injuries/suspensions, he got on the first team bench and came on briefly at Cardiff before playing against the same side in the FA Cup. In a young side, Baptiste started the game uncertainly but settled and was one of our better performers on a poor night as United departed the cup.



He had several sub appearances but we did not see him actually come onto the pitch after this as we brought in Holding/Clarke etc. Got sent off again in another u21 game before the end of the season and then got injured I think in the final Play Off defeat to Brentford. He has a deal for another 12 months I believe but wonder if he may go out on loan next season to see if he can cope with the demands of pro football. One the club feel could have a chance but turns 22 this year so not a kid in that sense.



Grade C (Last season NA)



Auston Trusty A signing we made 2 seasons ago that seemed sensible. Signed from Arsenal, he had impressed at Birmingham on loan and seemed from highlights to be someone that had the potential to improve with us. He came into a side that had holes all over it and he struggled. He was part of some absolute hammerings and struggled with pace/movement and physicality. It became apparent that he had several limitations and a limited skill set. I was concerned that even if we went down, his lack of aggression and his inability to do the basics (stop his man/head it/clear it) meant even at a lower level, I was not convinced he would be good enough to be a starter. I was really surprised at how poor he was, especially after he had done well on loan at Birmingham but looked miles off the standard required. He was part of a shocking side that lost pretty much every week. Sure, others around him were not much better but eventually he lost his place and was sort of in and out towards the end of the season. We signed Souttar over the summer and with Anel remaining, Robinson still here and Gilchrist coming in, you sensed he had moved right down the pecking order.



He did not start the season but did score in the League Cup against Wrexham but then with injury issues, Trusty played his first league game against Norwich but he was culpable on the goal as they came right down the middle. His only other appearance came at Barnsley and recall him just dawdling near the end as we trailed to the League One side. There were rumours Celtic were interested which harshly seemed too good to be true but the speculation continued for a few weeks. It then seemed they could not meet our agreed valuation which had many Blades annoyed who were happy to make any kind of fee back on him, even if we lost some money. Eventually he did move on and Celtic signed him and reports suggested we had not only made our money back but made a profit somehow! A signing that did not work and he was not the player we thought we were getting. Credit to Wilder who quickly moved him on.



At Celtic he had some decent performances in the Champions League apparently (played in the two-legged game and unfortunate defeat to Bayern Munich) but overall, he continued to look unconvincing, even at the poor level of the Scottish league. It is interesting that he often partners another former Blade, Cameron Carter Vickers (much more highly thought of up here). Celtic fans quickly realised that he makes mistakes, switches off and does not really do the things that you want from someone in his position – which is defend!



Grade E- (Last season F)



Sai Sachdev Sachdev had progressed via the youth ranks, after originally being with Leicester and was impressive for the successful u18 and u21 squads for the last few seasons. He got into the England development squads (u17-u19’s). He had a loan spell with Oldham last year but was sort of in and out of the side. He came back to us and with the number of outgoing and incoming being slow, he was involved pre-season. Did ok as he played both right back and right centre back.



He seemed well liked by Wilder with his pace, mobility, and decent size. He had a few appearances early in the season, as he came on at Norwich with the defensive injury problems and also started at Barnsley and thought he was ok – one of the better performers. After this he got a bad injury in an u21 game and was out for the season. The club did the right thing and gave him another year on his contract to see if he can recover. Be interesting to see where he is at with his recovery as he had a leg brace on for several months so must have been a bad one – also if he can get back to where he was at – in and around the first team squad.



Grade C- (Last season NA)





Harry Boyes Boyes has been out on 6 (SIX) loan spells after he came to United from Man City. I recall seeing him a long time ago play for the u21’s at Stocksbridge Park Steels (United not played there for ages) and seems to have been around forever – almost like the outfield version of Jake Eastwood! Boyes had moved up the leagues on loan but his recent spells had not been as impressive and he moved about a fair bit and was not a regular at Wycombe or Fleetwood last season. I was surprised he was still under contact but he had another year left and came back to the Lane. He did feature in some pre-season games and then started against Wrexham. Not totally convincing I felt in this game but not a disaster either. With Burrows, McCallum, Norrington Davies and Robinson – it seemed hard to see how he would feature much but he was not put on loan again and remained with the u21’s this time. He played regularly at this level but with his contract now at an end, he has been released. Not sure what sort of level/club will take a punt on him. Maybe he still gets a league club but he may have to go out of the football league and try and work his way back up.





Grade C- (Last season NA)



Sam Colechin Been with United since he was 8 and made his u18 debut at 14. Colechin is an attacking right back and the coaching staff have seen something in him as he has progressed though the age ranks quite quickly. He was involved in the first team squad training and then got a few minutes against Cardiff at the end of the FA Cup tie at only 17. He has been back with the u21’s since (scored a great goal in the win at Middlewood against Wednesday) but is technically still an u18 player really.



Grade NA – cannot give him a grade as he came on 89th minute so would be harsh (Last season NA)





Others (not played/gone on loan/young players)







Jili Buyabu Came to us from Hornchurch in December, 2021 – he became an u21 regular and then even got some time on the pitch in the final game of the season against Birmingham in 22-23 after we had sealed promotion a few weeks earlier. He had been impressive in the development squad with his marauding style going forward and always seemed to be involved in setting up or even scoring goals. Quite athletic and quick, he seemed one we thought had a chance but of course was never going to get much of a sniff at the top level after we went up. He went to Motherwell but bizarrely came back within a month and never played. This season he ended up at Rochdale and has had mixed view from their fans. He has been regular there. They lost in the playoffs in a wild game at home to Southend as he lined up with lots of former Blades (Ebanks Landell, Gordon, Gilmour). However, as we have seen with Seriki, we cannot maybe write players off even if they are not totally convincing early on. He has another 2 years left on his deal so I expect him to go out on loan again.





Miguel Freckleton Had made our bench a few times a number of seasons ago but mostly has been loaned out with Yeovil, Chesterfield and this past season, Swindon being his destinations. He had never really been a regular at Chesterfield and at Swindon it has been a bit of a rough ride for him by all accounts (Roy’s views from!). Some fans have cited he has some attributes but also his penchant for mistakes has been in evidence it seems. He got an injury which kept him out for a period but returned to the side around February. His side struggled and had managerial changes but it has been a disappointing loan seemingly and you wonder now what will happen next season – still has another year – maybe he gets another loan at this level but at some point has to establish himself and prove he can make it – even if it might not be at United.





Sam Curtis Curtis came in as a promising youngster that was seen as a real coup of a signing with several teams interested in him apparently. He went into the u21’s and was a bit mixed in the games I saw. I thought he showed some decent attacking play and composure on the ball but lacked pace and a football brain in the games I watched. I heard some u21 watchers be more positive but I was a bit disappointed after the hype (not his fault) when we signed him. He went on loan to Peterborough and for the most part it was a struggle but of course was his first league football. He ended up coming out of the side and the loan was ended. He went to St Johnstone and review here were more encouraging but some concerns still were voiced over his defensive play but they did beat Celtic in a shock win before getting hammered in the cup semi-final and went down ending a 16-year spell in the top flight. At least he was playing regularly up there even if the standard is poor. Still only 19, he has time to develop and you expect he may go out back on loan next season – to another English club I hope and hopefully use this season’s experience to keep progressing but seems a long way off a first team player with us after many felt he would be in and around the matchday squad quite quickly.









Next season



The defence seems a real area in flux. Cooper will come back in goal, as discussed above, you hope and Burrows will be back as the left back but questions over the other 3 starters (assuming we start 4). Right back the loans will go back – maybe Choudhury may return and he did well so would have no issues him being the starter but ideally you get Seriki fit and he has a run there and we have Choudhury sort of a utility player who can fill in here but maybe more central midfield. The centre backs we have issues as Holding will go back and I sense Anel may move on. Robinson I would not keep but if Wilder stays (and if he has a clause that has been activated) then he will remain. I would not want him starting at all. I would like us to sign two new centre backs here – with a dominant one a priority. We keep being linked with Dunne at QPR but his best position is right back – so maybe he goes there and competes with Seriki. If so, then we still need two new centre backs – if Anel moves on. We began the season with such a solid backline and ended up conceding too many goals so is a crucial area to address.



Player / Position Years remaining (contract expires) Red this year – Orange next year - Green longer contract –



Defenders





Harry Boyes Out of contract (2025) – now released

Jack Robinson Out of contract but one year deal to be activated (2026)

Anel Ahmedhodzic 1 year (2026)

Sai Sachdev 1 year (2026)

Jamal Baptiste 1 year (2026)

Femi Seriki 2 years (2027)

Jamie Shackleton 2 years (2027)

R Norrington Davies 2 years (2027)

Jili Buyabu 2 years (2027)

Sam Curtis 2 years (2027)

Harrison Burrows 3 years (2028)

Sam McCallum 3 years (2028)





Youngsters involved in 1st team last season or loans out (contracts unknown if not stated)



Sam Colechin (unknown)

Dovydas Sasnauskas 1 year (2026)

Evan Easton 1 year (2026)

Miguel Freckleton 1 year (2026)







Return to loan club:



Alfie Gilchrist to Chelsea

Harry Clarke to Ipswich

Rob Holding to Crystal Palace

 

[coaxingstar71]

I'd totally forgotten that Trusty even played for us this season and I was at the Wrexham game when he scored! Seems like a lifetime ago.

I agree we really need an upgrade on JLT and ideally we need to sign two CB's and two RB's or at least one of each and one that can play both positions comfortably.
As much as I'd love to see Seriki play every game at RB, it's not realistic given his injury record.