Blades v Wolves match preview [LIVE]

Date: Monday 14th September
Kick off: 18.00
Venue: Bramall Lane

Live @ https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/425241
One match ban enabled

And off we go again! With the longest season in history followed by the shortest pre-season in history, the Wolves players have hardly had time to catch their breath.

Q. How do you turn Silver into gold?
A. You give FC Porto 40 million Euros.

During the transfer window Wolves business was looking typically underwhelming with Montenegro international but British born, 23 year-old Keeper Matija Sarkic brought in from Aston Villa, given a 3 year deal and sent out on loan to further his development. Following him midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White was given a new contract and sent to Swansea on a season long loan. Groans of dismay from the fans followed the news that fan's favourite Matt Doherty had been sold to Spurs with his touted replacement Ainsley Maitland-Niles being withdrawn from sale by Arsenal.
And then out of the blue the club spend £35.6m on 18 year-old Portuguese sensation Fabio Silva. This was widely regarded as a coup due to the €125m buy out clause which FC Porto had put in the much admired striker’s contract. That signing was followed the day after by the arrival of Brazillian defender Fernando Marcal, another excellent signing. Fosun are not done yet though, before a ball is kicked in this game it is widely expected that the squad will be expanded by another Portuguese arrival; attacking midfielder Vitor Ferreira, another highly acclaimed youngster from the ranks of FC Porto.

Chris Wilder has brought in 22 year-old keeper Aaron Ramsdale and curiously, another arrival at Bramall Lane was 29 year-old keeper Wes Foderingham who arrived from Scotland on a free after his Rangers contract was not renewed. Undoubtedly one of them will get the nod to replace Dean Henderson who will almost certainly be heading back to Old Trafford. After missing out to Aston Villa on defender Matty Cash, Chris Wilder brought in full back pairing Jayden Bogle and Max Lowe from Derby County at the weekend.

While the Wolves players have been having a 3 week domestic break after their quarter final Europa League game in Germany, and with 8 of their players away on international duty, United have been on a pre-season camp in Scotland playing a couple of friendlies including a game against Dundee United – a game which was abandoned at half time. Further friendlies were played against Preston and Derby County.

Last season Wolves drew 4 and lost 2 of their first 6 games, results which could be argued that ultimately cost them the chance of European football for the second successive year. Manager, players and fans alike will be expecting a more positive start to this season. The last time the two sides met, at Bramall Lane, the Blades ran out 1-0 winners. That game was also played behind closed doors but if you pardon the pun, this season will be a whole new ball game.

The game will be shown live on Sky Sports

Gem’s prediction 1-1