Sheffield United

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Premier League clubs have voted in favour of adopting an anchoring economic model, which will be linked to the earnings of the bottom club (tv and prize money).

The proposed system would operate like a spending cap.

The next stage is final analysis and drafting of rules, which will potentially be put to clubs at an AGM in June.

The model will be presented to clubs and - should clubs vote in favour then - it will replace the Profit and Sustainability Rules currently in place, from the 2025-26 season onwards.

Any new element of the financial system would come in shadow next season, to fully replace PSR in 2025-26.

“We will obviously wait to see further details of these specific proposals, but we have always been clear that we would oppose any measure that would place a ‘hard’ cap on player wages," said the PFA

“There is an established process in place to ensure that proposals like this, which would directly impact our members, have to be properly consulted on.”

Aston Villa, Manchester City and Manchester United opposed the vote, with Chelsea abstaining.

Former Sheffield United striker Carl Asaba believes that while the Blades' players will be disappointed after their relegation to the Championship was confirmed, they will learn from it and come back swinging next season.

Reacting to the 5-1 loss at Newcastle on the latest episode of the Blades Heaven podcast, he said: "You saw in the first half, if you attack as well as that and only score one goal, it's going to be very difficult.

"And then at the other end, we are very weak defensively. It's a real shame because there is so much promise, so much goodness that you are watching and yet again, how many times have we conceded four or five.

"The fans have given their all. It is very tough for the team on the pitch at the moment but they will be back stronger.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we actually have a stronger team than the team that started this season."

Asaba admits that it was always going to be hard for the Blades to stay up, but says there is still plenty of quality in their squad.

"When Chris [Wilder] took over, it was always a very difficult proposition to stay up," he said.

"I just hope we keep those younger players on long contracts. Arblaster once again looked as good as anyone on the pitch today."

"They completely cave in. When they go, they go.

"I get criticised for talking about how good some of these players are. It's really hard to explain what happens.

"They carved out chance after chance at Newcastle away. It's just hard to explain. I am really gutted for everyone."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United's Premier League fate was sealed following another heavy defeat to Newcastle United on Saturday.

It might even come as a relief for Blades fans, who have watched their side leak goals week in, week out in a disappointing return to the top flight.

97 to be precise, at an average of 2.8 goals per game.

They have already broken the goals conceded record for a 38-game season and are just three goals off Swindon Town's record of the most goals (100) conceded in a Premier League season.

Despite Chris Wilder succeeding Paul Heckingbottom - who lost 11 of their opening 14 games - in December, he could not solve their shaky defence.

The former right-back slightly improved their attacking average from 0.8 goals a game under Heckingbottom to 1.1, but it was not enough to counteract the goals against.

Sheffield United have been relegated with 16 points from 35 games, making them the third-worst side in Premier League history in terms of points and goal difference.

Wilder says the top flight has been "too powerful" for them this season but that supporters can "trust him" to stay at the club beyond the summer.

But if they are to bounce back in a demanding Championship next season, they will have to tighten up their back line and recruit well this summer.

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Newcastle United and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your answers:

Newcastle fans

Tom: Strange game. Sheffield United absolutely flying out of the blocks and going for it. Big Dan Burn kept us in the game in the first half. He looks much more comfortable at centre-back than when he is stuck on the left. There was a complete transition in the second half, with Newcastle bombing forward at every opportunity and looking like scoring. Was there an interesting half-time talk?

Simon: Very pleased to see us bounce back from a poor midweek performance. We dominated in the second half and it is positive that we are converting chances. I was really pleased, particularly, to see Bruno and Wilson on the scoresheet. We need to push forward and get as many points as possible in our final few games, but well done!

Tant: With all of the injuries sustained this season, this team has shown real resilience under a world-class man manager in Eddie Howe. To be where they are now shows that, to a man, they are fighting for the boss. It was a difficult game today, but they showed great patience and belief in their own game plan to get the three points.

Andrew: We started a bit like me when I had eaten too many lockdown chocolates... slowly and poorly! But we finished like me when I eat a bag of sugar followed by three bottles of energy drink... buzzing and excited! I think we will keep both Guimaraes and Isak this summer. Next year will be great, if this year was anything to go by!

Sheff Utd fans

Bob: Sheffield United were the best team in the first half and could have had three goals. However, Newcastle woke up in the second half and ran out easy winners as the Blades were blunted.

Eric: I am sick and tired of seeing that white flag this season! Just close season, have a big clear out of both the players and management. Fresh ideas and a new approach is needed.

Peter: Chris Wilder is clueless and he needs sacking. This club needs a complete rebuild. Wilder is not the man for the job.

James: A fitting end to an embarrassing season. Unless there is a big change in the club, starting at the top with the owner who has proved himself incapable of running a football club, then there will be a relegation scrap on our hands again next season!

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Sheffield United are on course to break Swindon Town's record of the most goals conceded in a Premier League season, with the Blades shipping five goals or more in more than seven games this campaign.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright has been discussing their defensive struggles on Match of the Day: "With Swindon Town, it took them 42 games to concede 100 goals. If you look at Sheffield United right now, they have conceded 97 goals in 35 games.

"Look, they have had to get rid of some top players in Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge. It has been very hard for them to compete in the Premier League this season.

"Chris Wilder is talking about a lack of leadership, but I would probably say that it is a lack of quality as well.

"I think that the fans will probably be relieved [that they have been relegated] - at least they won't have to deal with VAR next season!"

Catch up on Match of the Day here

Newly relegated Sheffield United have now conceded 97 goals in 35 Premier League games this season, after being on the receiving end of a 5-1 thumping against Newcastle United at St James' Park.

Anel Ahmedhodzic was the only Blades player to get on the scoresheet, after giving the visitors a deserved early lead in the fifth minute, but former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has been criticising the visitors' "dreadful" second-half performance.

"They actually did really well in the first half," Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily Sports Report. "They got their goal and perhaps should have scored another two or three more goals, because they hit the woodwork and created some really good chances.

"They had Newcastle on the ropes in that first half, but in the second half they were really dreadful. They were back to their normal self. It looked like every attack that Newcastle had, Sheffield United would concede.

"There is nothing unlucky about what they have done this season - they just haven't been good enough.

"You cannot go into games hoping that you are going to score three or four goals to try to get a point - but that is effectively what they were going to have to do this season.

"I mean, 97 goals tells its own story. They have been dreadful at the back in almost every game they have played in. They have been miles off it."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Man Utd 1-1 Burnley

• Everton 1-0 Brentford

Blackburn Rovers want up to £20m for Republic of Ireland forward Sammie Szmodics, with Brentford, Luton Town and Sheffield United all interested in the 28-year-old. (Sun), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday’s game between Newcastle United and Sheffield United in the Premier League.

• The Blades have now suffered their ninth top-flight relegation, which is as many as local rivals Sheffield Wednesday who have also been relegated nine times. Only five teams have suffered the drop from the top division of English football on more occasions: Birmingham City (12), Leicester City (12), West Bromwich (11), Bolton (10) and Manchester City (10).

• Newcastle have scored 13 Premier League goals against Sheffield United this season, which is the most one team has scored against another team in a single campaign in the competition's history.

• Alexander Isak has scored 19 Premier League goals this season, the most by any Newcastle player in a single top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 (22 goals). He has also scored in each of his past seven Premier League games at St James’ Park, with only Andrew Cole (8 in 1993-94) and Alan Shearer (15 in 1996-97) netting in more consecutive home appearances for the Magpies in the competition.

• Sheffield United have conceded 97 goals in their 35 Premier League games this season, with only Swindon Town (100 goals in 42 games in 1993-94) conceding more in an entire campaign in the competition's history.

• Anthony Gordon has been directly involved in 16 Premier League goals at St James’ Park this season (9 goals, 7 assists), with only Cole Palmer registering more home goal involvements in the competition this term (17).

Image source, Getty Images

The writing has been on the wall for quite some time for Sheffield United, who started brightly at St James' Park but fell to pieces after Bruno Guimaraes gave Newcastle the lead in the second half.

The Blades have been stuck in the bottom three since late September, when they were thrashed 8-0 by Eddie Howe's team at Bramall Lane in their record league defeat.

Only Swindon Town have conceded more goals in a single Premier League season than the Blades, who have now shipped 97 goals in 35 games.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of early possession and could have added to Anel Ahmedhodzic's early opener, with Cameron Archer, Ben Brereton Diaz and Mason Holgate all going close.

However, Newcastle never looked back after Guimaraes' header and could ultimately have won by a healthier margin.

Referee Tony Harrington awarded the visitors a late spot-kick after Jayden Bogle went down under pressure from Magpies substitute Alex Murphy, but Chris Wilder's team were denied a late consolation after VAR ruled the Newcastle defender had got his toe to the ball.

With Brereton Diaz, Holgate, James McAtee and Yasser Larouci due to return to their respective parent clubs on 30 June and Bogle, Oli McBurnie and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham all out of contract in the summer, Wilder has plenty to think about as the Blades turn their attentions to next season's Championship campaign.

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has been speaking to Match of the Day after his side were relegated from the Premier League this afternoon: "We have not been good enough. The league has been too powerful for us right the way through the season.

"There have been plenty of games where we have been put to bed early, but today we should have been 3-0 up at half-time. I'm scratching my head that it was 1-1. Newcastle then up their game and get a head of steam, and then our old mistakes start to fall in [place] and the goals go from two to three to four to five pretty quickly.

"There is a reason why that happens. It is an incredibly young side and there is a complete lack of leadership out there.

"I thought, at times, I was going to have a heart attack in terms of trying to get the messages on [to the players on the pitch]."

On the Blades' relegation from the English top-flight: "It stings and it hurts. We have to own it. We have got so much work to do on the training ground. We have got to have a proper pre-season.

"Sheffield United is a really good football club. I think everyone understands that, but it has been a really poor season.

"I have still got another year left of my contract and I would like to think that the supporters can trust me. I'm enthusiastic and committed, along with my coaching staff, to get it right.

"We know exactly what direction we need to go in, what the culture is going to look like, and what our pre-season is going to look like.

"It is going to be a tough summer for everybody."

Sheffield United's relegation from the Premier League was confirmed as Newcastle recovered from a sluggish start to thrash Chris Wilder's side at St James' Park.

Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the visitors a deserved early lead, nodding home Gustavo Hamer's in-swinging cross from close range.

The Blades carved out several opportunities to double their advantage, as Newcastle struggled to gain a grip on proceedings, but the home side were level when Alexander Isak drilled home from Jacob Murphy's pass in the 26th minute.

Ben Brereton Diaz had a goal-bound shot blocked by Dan Burn and Mason Holgate headed against the woodwork on the half-hour mark, but the visitors fell behind early in the second half when Bruno Guimaraes steered Lewis Hall's delivery into the far corner.

Isak registered his 23rd goal of the season from the penalty spot, after Anthony Gordon was brought down by Holgate, before the unfortunate Ben Osborn bundled into his own net for Newcastle's fourth and Callum Wilson came off the bench to score his first top-flight goal since October.

Sheffield United were awarded a late penalty, but the decision was overturned by the video assistant referee who ruled Magpies substitute Alex Murphy had won the ball in a challenge on Jayden Bogle.

The defeat leaves the Blades 10 points adrift of safety with only three games remaining, while Newcastle stay seventh and are well placed to secure a spot in Europe next season.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Newcastle fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Sheffield United fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on Andy Bell and Steve Queralt from Ride, who support Arsenal and Tottenham.

Sutton's predictions: 3-1

Sheffield United will be relegated if they lose this game but it is going to happen sooner or later even if they avoid defeat.

The Blades have lacked quality in all areas but they have known they are going down for a while now, and the important thing for them is how they regroup for next season.

Newcastle put eight goals past them at Bramall Lane in September and I am pretty sure they will cut through them pretty easily this time too. I am going to give Sheffield United a goal, but that is all they will get.

Steve's prediction: 3-0

A relatively routine home win. Sheffield United might put up a decent fight but Newcastle will be too strong for them. 3-0

Andy's prediction: 3-0

That's exactly what I have put too.

Read the rest of their predictions here

Seven matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and we will bring you every moment.

Follow live text updates and listen online here

BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:

Manchester United v Burnley - Listen on BBC Sounds from 15:00

Everton v Brentford - Listen on BBC Sounds from 17:30

Chris Wilder has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at Newcastle.

Here are the key lines from the Sheffield United boss:

• On injuries in the squad: "Oli McBurnie is out for the season, that's a massive blow for us. It's a really disappointing one. He went to see a specialist, he doesn't require surgery but it's a big one to miss certainly from a leadership and experience point of view. Jayden Bogle was taken off against Manchester United as a precaution, James McAtee went for a scan and we're waiting for results this morning so fingers crossed that he's OK. We believe Jayden will be OK and there is a question mark about McAtee."

• On young talent coming through the academy: "The way they've been brought up and nurtured through the set up in the academy is brilliant. From an attitude and a talent point of view, we're really in a good place and looking forward for them to develop. Maybe part of the next three or four games will see the introduction of those boys being involved. We have to be careful that we don't break them, that they don't have incredibly poor experiences so the timing of it has got to be good but them being around the first team will be good and looking forward to them being involved maybe in the last two or three games of the season."

• On Wes Foderingham being in goal: "He'll stay in the team, he was outstanding so I'm just after best practice. We made a change in December [signing Ivo Grbic], we felt that we needed that change. It hasn't worked out so far, we have to accept that. Ivo has and has to accept that. Myself and the coaching staff have to accept that so I'm not doing something from a personal point of view. Wes has trained really well. There was a situation that we needed to make a change last week and Wes has come in and done the business. I like to think that's what proper pros look like. They take the disappointment on the chin, they bide their time and when the opportunity comes they take it and they carry on."

• Wilder said there have been discussions over Foderingham's contract, which expires in the summer.

• On potentially being relegated this weekend: "Through good times we all enjoy it and then you have to own and suffer for the times where it goes wrong. There are certain things as a football club which we haven't done right. We've had a poor season and we have had to take the words, the criticism and we have to learn. We are sat here with a load of optimism about the future of the football club. We have been in far worse positions than this. We'll be ready if the inevitable happens at the weekend. We'll go right to the end, no matter what the situation is."

• Wilder says he feels performances have improved, adding: "We really believed we were in decent nick and we would get the opportunity to turn really good performance into big results. The Brentford and Burnley games really have sealed our fate but obviously the gap now is too big. We'll come fighting back. You get judged on results and certain weaknesses in certain departments have let us down. There are things that we need to reset to get better."

• On facing Newcastle: "It's one of my favourite clubs and one of my favourite teams to watch. I've got enormous admiration for Eddie [Howe] and his career and how he has gone about it . They've had their ups and downs but they're still in the position that they are. They've got some fabulous players, it's an incredible environment, another one that we can really look forward to going and hopefully leaving everything out there like we did on Wednesday night."

• Follow the rest of Friday's news conferences here

Here is a selection of the key facts and figures before Newcastle United host Sheffield United in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 BST kick-off).

• Newcastle have won seven of their past eight league games against Sheffield United, with the exception being a 1-0 away loss in the Premier League in January 2021.

• The Magpies beat Sheffield United 8-0 in the reverse fixture at Bramall Lane – the most goals they have scored against an opponent in a Premier League campaign is 10, doing so against Sheffield Wednesday in 1999-00.

• The Blades have lost 16 of their past 18 Premier League away games played on a Saturday, though the two exceptions have been in their past three such matches (3-1 v Luton Town and 2-2 v Bournemouth).

• Alexander Isak has scored in his past six Premier League home games, with only Andy Cole (eight in 1993-94) and Alan Shearer (15 in 1996-97) netting in more consecutively for Newcastle in the competition.

• Newcastle have scored in all 17 of their league home games this season, with their 43 goals their most at St James' Park in a top-flight campaign since 1996-97 (54).

Sheffield United could have their relegation fate confirmed before the end of the week, after falling to a 4-2 defeat at Manchester United.

Indeed, Chris Wilder's side will be officially relegated to the Championship if they lose at Newcastle United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

On BBC Radio Sheffield's Blades Heaven podcast, former striker Carl Asaba has praised some of the players for "working their socks off" in the game but was unimpressed by the actions of others.

"We have scored two away at Old Trafford and I am sat feeling deflated because I feel like yet again there was more there for the team.

"They worked their socks off. There were some really massive performances - I mean top, top drawer - from Wes [Foderingham] and [Ollie] Arblaster. But then to finish as the team that has conceded four goals, I feel so sorry for them. They deserved more.

"There's a few bits that are creeping into the team that I don't like seeing - it is not the Sheffield United way. If you are rolling around when you are 4-2 down to win a free kick, that is not on. If you are hurt, fair enough, be treated. But there are a few players who are not of the Sheffield United mentality."

Asaba highlighted Jayden Bogle, Ben Brereton Diaz and Wes Foderingham for their "great" performances against Erik ten Hag's side: "Bogle has been one of the strongest players under Chris [Wilder]. He has been getting stronger week by week and his performances have been great. His finishing is just top drawer. He is brilliant. Hopefully he doesn't have a soft muscle injury - that was a worry.

"Diaz works his socks off. He has the mentality. Whether it is going right for him or not, he works and gives everything he has got physically.

"I thought Foderingham's performance was really, really good - one of his best performances of the season. Full credit to him. I am delighted because it has been a tough season for him. He has taken a lot of flack, but to perform like that was great."

He also had some strong words for goalkeeper Ivo Grbic: "The video of Grbic warming up, that is not serious. That is pub football with a hangover. The chance of coming on in front of 72,000 people, in the Premier League, for your club, and you can't even shake a leg to warm up?

"That is embarrassing. I am sat here giggling out of embarrassment. That can't happen - it just can't happen. You don't want that. You don't want young kids seeing that and thinking that is acceptable at Sheffield United. I just think that needs to be stamped out.

"Have a look at the footage of Grbic warming up when Wes is down - you will be horrified."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder accepted last night that relegation from the Premier League is "inevitable".

The Blades boss is already looking to next season in the Championship and the work that needs to be done to ensure his reshaped team are ready to make an immediate impact given they will only have two seasons of parachute payments, rather than three.

Decisions need to be made on Ben Brereton Diaz, Mason Holgate, James McAtee and Yasser Larouci, whose loan deals end on 30 June. In addition, numerous players, including Oli McBurnie, Jayden Bogle and goalkeeper Wes Foderingham are out of contract.

"It is going to be hard and intense this summer," said Wilder. "A lot of players are out of contract and others are returning to clubs from loans.

"It has been looked at for a while this might be an opportunity to rebuild.

"There is a lot of work to do, everyone recognises it.

"We know what we need to do. We are taking the pain before the inevitable and we can get the club back where we want it to be."

We asked for your views on Manchester United's 4-2 win over relegation-threatened Sheffield United on Wednesday night.

Here are some of your answers:

Manchester United fans

Christine: The win is papering over the cracks and, as an Erik ten Hag fan, I am finding it more and more difficult to defend him. There is no structure and the players are constantly not turning up for work, Marcus Rashford being one of them. It is a relief that we beat Sheffield United, but the fear is the next game and what team turns up then.

Peter: Shocked - even more shocked than before. I'm glad we scored four goals, but to concede two goals so easily is extraordinary. But, it's United's season. I don't think Ten Hag has complete control of this team, the players are so disjointed and have been all season. Normally it would improve, but amazingly it has actually got worse. Lost for words.

Lucy: Much better than the Coventry game. We are still not there just yet, but Harry Maguire is showing his class once again, Rasmus Hojlund is back on the scoresheet, and we are all talking about Bruno. It's time to sort out the defence and the hesitation now.

Ewan: We got there in the end. A decent win. Bruno had a good game and I was glad to see the real player emerge for one game. I thought there were still frailties and both goals were naive. We still can't control games, even against weak opposition - no disrespect. The highlights for me were Hojlund's goal and Ethan Wheatley's debut. He looks great in the under-18s and we need our youth now!

Sheffield United fans

Rugster: We are playing well in the 5-3-2 formation. We would have been 2-1 up if it wasn't for a dodgy penalty. There were terrible substitutions yet again! Chris Wilder took Archer off for McAtee, so we had to shift to 5-4-1 which hasn't worked all season. We have no out balls and teams batter us when we play like this. Then we swapped to 4-5-1 for the last 20 minutes and we folded. I'm seriously questioning Wilder 2.0.

Bob: Same old, same old. We can’t defend for toffee. Let's see how we get on back in the Championship. I think we need a complete clear out of those both on and off the pitch!

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Wednesday night's four Premier League fixtures as well as the goals from Tuesday's game.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.