July 2002

The Blades have completed the signing of striker Wayne Allison on a one-year contract after he was released by Tranmere Rovers. Allison, has been training with United pre-season, was a free agent after his Prenton Park contract expired. He becomes the third striker to join United over the summer following the arrivals of Laurens Ten Heuvel and Iffy Onoura. United have been searching for new recruits, and with Paul Peschisolido set to miss the start of the season, further emphasis was placed on the need for more cover in attack.

Laurens Ten Heuvel might miss the start of the season due to his ankle injury. Ten Heuvel was injured in a friendly against Bristol Rovers.It is looking more likely that Carl Asaba and Iffy Onoura will lead the Blades attack in the opening day game at Coventry City.

Carl Asaba scored twice as United beat Dutch side FC Twente 4-1 at Bramall Lane. Asaba, who started up front alongside new signing and former Gillingham team-mate Iffy Onuora, put United ahead in the 10th minute but the visitors equalised through Thijs Houwing four minutes before half-time. But there was no holding the Blades after the interval. Full back Steve Yates, making his home debut, scored nine minutes after the re-start. Then Asaba added his second on the hour and Michael Tonge completed the scoring in the 71st minute. As well as Yates and Onuora, goalkeeper Paddy Kenny and midfielder Stuart McCall made their home debuts.

The Blades have been handed a home tie against Third Division York City in the first round of the League Cup. The game will be played in the week commencing September 9 and features every First, Second and Third Division side from the Nationwide League except Ipswich Town, who are excluded because of their European commitments .

The arrival of experienced defender Steve Yates has provided Neil Warnock with further rear-guard options. Yates is primarily a central defender but he has also featured in both full-back positions. The 32-year-old's versatility was a major factor behind Warnock's decision to sign him. Defensive quartet Keith Curle, Lee Sandford, Gus Uhlenbeek and Shane Nicholson have left United over the summer and the signing of Yates has helped fill the void.

United have signed Bury keeper Paddy Kenny in a three-month loan deal. The 24-year-old keeper has been a popular figure at Gigg Lane. It was current Blades boss Neil Warnock who signed Kenny for Bury then and he could make the deal permanent if the loan spell is successful.Kenny was an ever present in the Bury side during the 2000/01 season and only missed a handful of games last season.

Peter Ndlovu has been put on the transfer list by The Blades. Ndlovu has a year remaining on his contract at Bramall Lane, but Neil Warnock has decided to cash in on the player now, rather than lose him on a `free` next summer. Warnock is ready to listen to any offers from interested clubs. Ndlovu joined The Blades on a free transfer as part of the deal which saw Curtis Woodhouse join Birmingham in February 2001. He has made 59 appearances for United, scoring only 10 goals. Warnock has a number of options in a midfield role, which now includes Stuart McCall, Jean-Phillipe Javary, Michael Brown, Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge and Nick Montgomery.

The Blades have signed 26-year-old striker Laurens Ten Heuvel from Dutch club Stormvogels Telstar. Ten Heuvel, who scored 20 goals in 31 league appearances in the Dutch Second Division last season, had been locked in talks with The Blades and looked poised to put pen to paper at the end of last week. The deal appeared to be in jeopardy in recent days when Telstar increased their asking price amid interest from Dutch rivals Roda JC. An agreement was reached with United paying a fee based on the 26-year-old's progress at Bramall Lane and the deal has gone through with Ten Heuvel accepting the personal terms on offer.

Robert Page has handed United a timely pre-season boost by agreeing a new two-year contract extension at Bramall Lane. The Blades captain is now committed to the club until the summer of 2006. Page has become hugely popular with us fans.The 27-year-old made 43 starts for United - the highest total in the squad. Warnock, who handed Page the captain's armband ahead of the new campaign after the departure of veteran defender Keith Curle this summer, will now be hoping Page will lead the side towards a play-off place this season.

The Blades have admitted that they may be forced to rest veteran midfielder Stuart McCall for certain games this season. The 38-year-old joined United on a one-year contract last week and Neil Warnock believes he has a key role to play. But the Blades management acknowledge that McCall may have to be used sparingly at times.

Stuart McCall will take charge of the reserves this season, taking over the role vacated by Keith Curle. The 38-year-old midfielder will assume the player coach role. McCall, who had a short stint as caretaker-manager at Bradford, is keen to eventually move into management.

United have completed the signing of striker Iffy Onuora from Gillingham. The 34-year-old forward has signed a two-year deal with the Blades and will team up with his former Gills strike partner Carl Asaba at Bramall Lane. Onuora has played in more than 400 League games in a 13-year professional career.He has scored a combined total of over 110 League goals for his four clubs - Huddersfield, Mansfield, Gillingham and Swindon.

Stuart McCall has joined United as a player-coach on a one-year contract. The 38-year-old was a free agent after his contract with Bradford City expired. Neil Warnock is looking to sign at least two strikers before the big kick-off with Laurens Ten Heuvel and Iffy Onoura firmly in his sights. United's bid to sign Ten Heuvel has been hindered by Telstar increasing their asking price amid interest from Dutch rivals Roda JC. The Blades have tabled a revised offer which includes performance-related payments, but they will not be pushed into going any higher. Warnock has threatened to drop his interest in Ten Heuvel if Telstar reject the improved bid. Onoura could be offered a contract regardless of whether Ten Heuvel signs. Warnock points out that Onoura played alongside Carl Asaba at Gillingham and could take some of the burden off him. Onoura, who will be 35 later this month, is the sort of experienced target man Warnock believes United need. He is also attracting interest from QPR.

The Blades have completed their first summer signing, Steve Yates on a free transfer. Yates, who made 44 appearances for Tranmere Rovers last season, has signed a two-year contract. Yates's experience is a welcome addition to the United rearguard following the loss of Keith Curle, Lee Sandford and Gus Uhlenbeek since the end of the season. United are also competing with Dutch club Roda JC to sign striker Laurens Ten Heuvel. Roda's interest in Ten Heuvel has prompted Telstar to increase their asking price. United have tabled a fresh offer which includes payments based on Ten Heuvel's progress.