Geoff Horsfield has finally completed his £1.2million move from West Brom. The 32-year-old signed on loan from Albion in February, but made just one start as Warnock refused to tamper with the side that had risen to the top of the Championship. At Horsfield's own request he went back to the Baggies to train near his Midlands home, rather than warm the bench in Sheffield, but Warnock believes he is now ready to start fighting for a place in the Blades' Premiership first team. "Geoff is no different to anyone else. What's gone is gone and he will fight for a place like the rest," he commented. Horsfield said: "Neil and I sat down for a talk a few days ago and everything is sorted out. Yes, we had differences of opinion on occasions, but you get that in football when everyone wants to play. "Now I am looking forward to coming back after the summer, getting in a good pre-season and playing in the Premiership again. "I want it to be like signing a new player because I will come back fit and hungry to win a place in the team, making it difficult for the manager not to pick me."
The Blades will warm up for their assault on the Premiership with friendlys against Dutch clubs ADO Den Haag and Sparta Rotterdam, during a tour of the Netherlands. United have also arranged a series of other fixtures, including matches against Scunthorpe, St Albans and Rotherham United.
Neil Warnock will have to watch United's first two matches back in the Premiership from the stands after landing a touchline ban. The FA handed Warnock a six-match suspension, although four of those are suspended, and fined him £1,000 following an incident in United's match against Leeds on April 18. The Blades boss was sent from the dug-out during the Yorkshire derby following a late challenge by Gary Kelly on Blades defender Craig Short. Warnock had a heated exchange with Leeds counterpart Kevin Blackwell before remonstrating with fourth official Paul Robinson. When Warnock failed to calm down, Robinson promptly reported him to referee Graham Poll who sent the Blades boss to the stands. However, Warnock refused to go quietly and a police officer had to remove him from the touchline and usher him down the tunnel. Warnock requested a personal hearing and admitted he was guilty of a charge of improper conduct. The FA disciplinary commission also fined Warnock £750 after a separate incident in the match at Norwich on March 18. He flashed a V-sign at Norwich boss Nigel Worthington following the final whistle of the Blades' 2-1 defeat at Carrow Road. Warnock was furious the former Sheffield Wednesday defender ignored him and refused to shake his hand following the game. Warnock was also punished and fined £750 earlier in the season after admitting using abusive language towards referee Grant Hegley after the defeat against Reading in October. Warnock was pleasantly surprised by the FA's ruling and said: "The suspended sentence I don't mind at all, I'm just delighted I'm only going to miss two games. "I thought it would be a lot worse if I'm honest so I'm absolutely delighted." The Blades boss hopes swapping his tracksuit for a business suit might help change his outlook on the touchline. "I've got to try and do one or two things now, I think I've got to slow down a little bit," he added. "I don't want to change my enthusiasm or my passion, that's got to stay, but it might just curb me a little bit being dressed in a suit, not going so stupid, but it's one of many things planned."
United have appointed Terry Robinson as the club's new chairman after Derek Dooley stepped aside last month. Football consultant Robinson - a former chairman of Bury who joined United four years ago - vowed to continue the Blades' progression over recent years, which culminated in their promotion to the top flight this season. He said: "We are looking to develop a squad of players that can cope with the pressures of being promoted to the Premier League and with the capability of putting the club in a strong position at the end of next season. "Money is available to assist the manager - each position will be looked at on its own merits and within the overall context of team expansion. "Sheffield United finds itself in a better position than when Derek Dooley took over, which is to the club's benefit and mine as I take up this post. No-one is more aware than me that it will not be easy to follow Derek Dooley, but all Blades should be assured I will be doing my best." Director Chris Steer becomes deputy chairman as part of the reshuffle, with Simon McCabe appointed as a director and Alan Bamford retiring.
Neil Warnock claims he will not throw his tried and tested recipe for success out of the window, after winning promotion. During his time with the Blades, Warnock has frequently relied on a big squad of players with something to prove to take his side into the upper echelons of the Championship. Such a tactic may have borne fruit in the second tier, but it is has been suggested that quality, rather than quantity, is more important when it comes to competing in one of the world's most respected divisions. However Warnock still counts desire as a major asset in potential new signings, though he admits he will have to be open-minded when it comes to scouring the globe for new recruits. Commenting he said: "We still need hungry players, but possibly we will have to go for a younger group unless we get a Bosman in and pay the wages on a more experienced player, We have still got to have the happy medium and we are looking at variation of players really. You have still got to have a decent squad as well, as there are no loan players allowed after the end of August until January, so you have to cover every angle."
Chinese international Li Tie is closing in on a summer move to United after being released by Everton. The 28-year-old has been informed by Toffees boss David Moyes that he has no future at Goodison Park and has hinted at a move to South Yorkshire. Neil Warnock's side already have strong links with China through their ownership of B-league team Chengdu Blades, with Li insisting he wants to remain in England. "Both sides are very positive. There are only a few details remaining to be discussed," he told the Beijing Times. "Barring any surprises, we should be able to settle this by the start of next month." Li's agent Xu Hongtao has confirmed his client will be hoping to secure a deal after the World Cup following a disappointing season with the Blues after signing from Chinese club Liaoning Fushen in 2002.
Manager Neil Warnock has quashed fears there will be a mass exodus of players out of Bramall Lane this summer. The Blades new-found status as a top-flight side has sparked widespread speculation linking the club with a cluster of players. But while Warnock is keen to add to his ranks, he has also outlined his desire to keep hold of the nucleus of the team that secured automatic promotion along with champions Reading this season. "We've got to get down a list of players we want, but we are also looking for a balance because we've got a good dressing room spirit and we want to keep that here at the club. It's about getting a happy medium. "I might be thinking about letting a few go and I've had a chat with all the players about my plans, as I do every season." He added: "We've been looking at English players, but so far they have been too expensive. We've got to work out our budget and where it is best spent."
United are set to take Zimbabwe international midfielder Esrom Nyandoro on trial as Neil Warnock looks to boost his squad. The midfielder has been at the heart of the Mamelodi Sundowns side who are on the verge of claiming the South African league title and Warnock is set to hand him his chance to shine in England. Nyandoro told the South African Premier Soccer League official website: "It would be a dream opportunity for myself to show what I am capable of at that level. This is my first trial overseas and I would like to make the most of it." Nyandoro's agent Winston Makamure told the Harare Herald: "A letter from Sheffield United requesting Mamelodi Sundowns to release Nyandoro for trials should by now have been sent through although I have yet to confirm that. "I spoke to Neil Warnock on Tuesday and he has always wanted to assess Esrom." Sundowns deputy CEO Jose Ferreira confirmed the move and added that they were expecting United's formal invitation in two days' time and insisted they would not stand in the way of any potential transfer.
Neil Warnock has thanked fans and Sheffield Council for their "overwhelming support" following the club's civic reception. The newly-promoted Blades squad was greeted by 20,000 Unitedites who lined the streets from Bramall Lane as an open-top bus made its way to the Town Hall. "On behalf of the club I must thank the town hall for the bus ride and the civic reception and principally the fans for yet another show of overwhelming support," He continued: "Unitedites have helped us celebrate on a number of occasions, but once again turned out to line the streets throughout our journey from the Lane and it was a momentous occasion, especially for the lads who didn't experience the event in 2003."
Neil Warnock feels there are huge grounds for optimism as the club prepare to return to the top flight after a 12-year exile. United celebrated their promotion in style with a 1-0 victory against play-off hopefuls Crystal Palace, courtesy of Chris Morgan's 81st-minute winner, and Warnock commented: "I went to the Liverpool v Aston Villa game on Saturday and I came away thinking that we will score goals in the Premiership. I watched Steven Gerrard and when he got the ball I said out loud 'he's not going to shoot from there!', and the next second it's in the back of the net. You wouldn't think Gerrard is a multi-millionaire who can go to any club because he's so level-headed. And that's what this lot are. Phil Jagielka, Michael Tonge and Nick Montgomery; I know all their parents and it's like a family, which makes it even more satisfying. In the Premiership you get a little bit more time and we've got the legs and lungs for it. I think Danny Webber and Michael Tonge will be two players who everyone will be talking about. It's been Jagielka this year but I think people will be surprised with Webber and Tonge. And I don't think the defenders in the Premiership will be able to cope with Ade Akinbiyi." Warnock, meanwhile, has held talks with plc chairman Kevin McCabe about signing a new contract with his present deal set to expire in the summer. He has yet to put pen to paper but is already planning for next season with veterans Craig Short and Brian Deane having now retired from the game. The Blades boss believes he will need a clutch of new players if United are to make an impact on the Premiership. Warnock added: "If we can add four or five signings to the squad then it will be a good summer. We're looking at everyone at the moment but it's difficult in England because they're too expensive. We've made an offer for one player but they want £5 million for him."