31st August Hearts have signed Blades striker Christian Nade on a three-year contract. The French frontman, 23, moves to Tynecastle having scored three league goals for the Blades last season, one of them a dramatic winner against Arsenal. Nade, made 25 appearances in his year with the Blades after joining from French club Troyes, signs for the Scottish side for £400,000.

31st August Queens Park Rangers have signed Blades midfielder Mikele Leigertwood for £850,000. Hoops boss John Gregory sees the 24-year-old as an ideal replacement for the injured Simon Walton. The former Blades man spent a season at Bramall Lane after signing from Crystal Palace. He made 19 appearances in the Premier League last season, but was sidelined for a lengthy spell due to injury.

29th August Bryan Robson hailed United's fighting spirit after they moved into the League Cup third round with a 3-2 extra-time win over MK Dons. Horsfield pounced on a mistake by Dons goalkeeper Nathan Abbey in the 103rd minute to settle a five-goal thriller at Stadium MK. "These games are just about getting your name in the hat for the next round and we've done that. I can't fault the players' commitment," said Robson. "I felt we had to pass it a little better and take up better positions but in extra-time the game got stretched and that suited us. I thought some of the refereeing decisions were a bit strange and we got three harsh yellow cards against us. "But credit to the Dons, you can see how they beat Ipswich in the last round - it was a good attacking game with quality attacking from both sides. "We had a long journey down there so the last thing we needed was extra-time. The lads won't do much training this week, the one's who will be involved on Saturday need to be looked after and just rest."

28th August MK Dons 2 Sheffield United 3 (aet) (Attendance: 7,943)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Morgan, Lucketti, Kilgallon, Law (Horsfield 79), Alan Quinn, Leigertwood, Carney (Tonge 91), Stead, Sharp (Shelton 68).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Ashmore.

Booked: Geary 38, Stead 43, Shelton 112.

Scorers: Lucketti 20, Law 55, Horsfield 104.

Man of The Match: Jon Stead.

MK Dons Line-up: Abbey, Diallo, Murphy, Swailes, Stirling, Edds (Wilbraham 86), Navarro, Carayol (Dyer 62), McGovern, Gallen (Wright 68), Broughton.
Subs Not Used: Gueret, Kelly.

Booked: Murphy 60.

Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire).

United needed extra time to knock Milton Keynes Dons out of the League Cup at Stadium MK. Substitute Geoff Horsfield's goal after 103 minutes into a gruelling contest sent Bryan Robson's men into Round 3, at the expense of his old team-mate and Dons manager Paul Ince. Robson made six changes from the team that beat West Brom last Saturday. While there were nine changes to the MK Dons side which beat Shrewsbury last weekend. The first chance came after 10 minutes, Derek Geary delivering from the right flank, and David Carney cut in from the left and saw his header tipped around the post by goalkeeper Nathan Abbey.

Drewe Broughton was a threat for Milton Keynes early on. Battling for every ball; he grabbed an opening goal on 11 minutes. Operating on the left of the defence, Jude Stirling drove past Geary and into the box before firing a low ball across goal for Broughton, who brushed off his marker to stab into the roof of the net from close range. Jon Stead fired over from 25 yards before the Blades drew level on 20 minutes. Alan Quinn's free-kick deflected off the wall for a corner. Blades midfielder Nicky Law drifted the ball in from the right, and Chris Lucketti rose highest to plant his header inside Abbey's right post. Midfielder Alan Navarro went close with a dipping effort over the crossbar on the half hour, after more work from Stirling on the left as the Dons had more possession. The halftime break was probably not what the Dons needed as at this time, as it seemed to take the momentum away from them and United started to control proceedings in the second half. Billy Sharp unfortunately miss-hit a shot when well placed in the box soon after the interval, but United didn't have to wait long before they took the lead. Carney began the move which found Quinn down the left flank and from his cross; Stead's shot was blocked by Abbey but the rebound fell to Law, who drove in the loose ball into the corner of the net. After 59 minutes, Stead went close again when he beat defender Kieran Murphy and curled his effort just wide of Abbey's post, and straight after met Carney's cross unopposed but Abbey tipped over the crossbar. On 72 minutes following a quick break out of defence, Mikele Leigertwood and Law were involved before Luton Shelton skipped inside his marker and fired at the goalkeeper's legs. But when Lucketti fouled Broughton on 78 minutes, Jon-Paul McGovern stepped up and his shot cannoned off the wall to leave Kenny helpless for the equaliser. Abbey had to tip over from Shelton again, this time from long range, to send the game into extra time. Shelton was proving a handful and he stormed through the Dons defence as United regained the lead after 104 minutes. The Jamaican striker twisted past four Dons defenders before finally hitting a shot that Abbey was unable to deal with, and Horsfield slid in the rebound from close range for the winner. United played out the remaining minutes to secure a place in third Round.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. MK Dons:

Kenny 6, Geary 6, Morgan 6, Lucketti 7, Kilgallon 6, Law 7, Horsfield 7, Alan Quinn 6, Leigertwood 6, Carney 6, Tonge 6, Stead 7, Sharp 6, Shelton 7

25th August Sheffield United 1 West Brom 0 (Attendance: 23,491)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Bromby, Morgan, Kilgallon, Geary, Gillespie (Leigertwood 76), Tonge, Montgomery, Armstrong, Beattie, Sharp (Stead 78).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Shelton, Lucketti.

Booked: Armstrong 53, Gillespie 75.

Scorer: Beattie 37.

Man of The Match: Chris Morgan.

West Brom Line-up: Kiely, Hoefkens, Barnett, Albrechtsen, Robinson, Morrison, Greening, Pele (Gera 58), Filipe Teixeira, Beattie (Ellington 58), Phillips.
Subs Not Used: Steele, Clement, Chaplow.

Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne and Wear).

James Beattie struck the decisive goal as United won 1-0 at home to West Brom to justify the Blades Premiership aspirations. The victory would have tasted that much sweeter for Bramall Lane manager Bryan Robson as he faced the Baggies for the first time since leaving the club at which he engineered a miraculous final-day escape from Premiership relegation in 2006. New strikers James Beattie and Billy Sharp partnered each other in the Blades attack for the second time this season following their summer moves. But it was the Baggies whose attacking prowess created the game's first chance, which fell to Scotland international Craig Beattie in the 11th minute after Kevin Phillips picked out his run with a measured cross from the left only for the former Celtic striker to mis-time his volley which looped up on to the bar before being gathered by a grateful Paddy Kenny. The Blades soon found their feet and if it was not for Dean Kiely, they would have been ahead after Chris Armstrong turned on the edge of the box and fired in a thunderous drive that had to be firmly turned away by Kiely. It was not until the 35th minute that the deadlock was broken when Armstrong's cross found Beattie in space at the back post and the ex-England striker made no mistake in re-directing his header back across goal and beyond the sprawling Dean Kiely. Robson’s men emerged from the tunnel after half time obviously intent on increasing their lead and it took two timely blocks from Leon Barnett and Martin Albrechtsen to deny them of another goal. The West Brom defence became more fragile as the pressure mounted in-front of the Shoreham Kop, and a misunderstanding between Kiely and Albrechtsen almost allowed winger Keith Gillespie to capitalise. Tony Mowbray was clearly frustrated by his team's lack of ingenuity and introduced Nathan Ellington and Zoltan Gera for the hapless Craig Beattie and the ineffective Pedro Pele in an attempt to inject some urgency into his team's performance and his plan almost came to fruition but Andrade Filipe Teixeira's diving header hit the side netting. Michael Tonge could have sealed the victory for the Blades in the 78th minute when his half-volley from the centre of the area flashed wide of the West Brom goal. Beattie was unlucky not to double the lead late on and keeper Kenny had to be alert on two occasions in the closing stages to deny West Brom an equaliser but United survived a frantic final period to ensure that they secured their first Championship win of the season.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. West Brom:

Kenny 7, Bromby 6, Morgan 8, Kilgallon 6, Geary 8, Gillespie 6, Leigertwood 6, Tonge 8, Montgomery 7, Armstrong 7, Beattie 7, Sharp 7, Stead 6.

21st August Bryan Robson has built up the pressure by insisting next Saturday's match with West Brom is a must-win game.The Blades have taken just one point from their opening two Championship matches, following up a draw against Colchester with a defeat at Watford, and says it will be a game United have to win. Commenting he said: "Picking up just one point from our first two games puts the pressure on. "So Saturday is now a game that we have to win."

21st August Bryan Robson says he is closely monitoring the rehabilitation of Rob Hulse. The 27-year-old former Leeds hit-man has been sidelined with a broken leg since March but is edging closer to selection for the Championship side. Robson was criticial of his three strikers following Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Watford and admits Hulse would be a welcome addition to his squad. "Rob's coming along nicely, although we have to be patient," said the Blades boss. "He's someone I'd like to have in the team." Meanwhile, Robson confirmed both new signing Dave Carney and midfielder Stephen Quinn were left out of the squad for at Vicarage Road because they are short of match fitness.

18th August United boss Bryan Robson critiscised his side's misfiring strikers following his team's 1-0 defeat at Watford on Saturday. Lee Williamson's second-half goal maintained the Hornets' 100% start to the campaign and left Robson's men with only one point from their opening two Championship games. And Robson was quick to blame his forwards. "I said in the dressing room at half-time that I wanted more urgency from my three forwards," Robson said. "But we did not improve at all after doing quite well in the first half, and we started slowly after the break. "I was disappointed, because the frontmen let themselves down, and I expect more from them." Former England forward James Beattie was particularly ineffective, but Robson insisted: "It was not just James. "He did not have a good game, but he was our best player [in the 2-2 draw with Colchester] last weekend. "I expected better forward play from James, Jon Stead and Danny Webber."

18th August Watford 1 Sheffield United 0 (Attendance: 16,414)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Morgan, Kilgallon, Bromby, Armstrong, Stead (Geary 73), Montgomery, Tonge, Gillespie, Webber (Shelton 78), Beattie.
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Alan Quinn, Leigertwood.

Man of The Match: Michael Tonge.

Watford Line-up: Poom, Doyley, DeMerit, Shittu, Stewart, McAnuff, Mahon, Williamson, Smith (Kabba 79), King, Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Lee, Hoskins, Mariappa, Priskin.

Booked: Kabba.

Scorer: Williamson 56.

Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).

United were blunted again this time losing to Watford 0-1, with Lee Williamson scoring the only goal in a dour encounter at Vicarage Road. Williamson's deflected volley in the 56th minute was enough to settle the match, and leave the Blades with just one point from their opening two league fixtures. Darius Henderson missed two easy chances for Watford, while Michael Tonge twice went close with fierce drives as Bryan Robson's men pressed for an equaliser. Watford manager Adrian Boothroyd fielded a completely different starting XI from the one which began the League Cup win over Gillingham, with Marlon King, Jay DeMerit, Gavin Mahon and Mart Poom all returning to the starting line-up. The Blades made four changes, with skipper Chris Morgan, Nick Montgomery, Keith Gillespie and James Beattie restored. Incredibly Derek Geary – currently in great form - was left out as Robson decided that height would be a necessity in the Blades defence, and also chose to play a 4-3-3 formation in this encounter. It was the Blades who looked the more composed in possession early on. Poom was forced to make a smart save to deny Leigh Bromby, who had been granted a free header 12 yards from goal when he met Gillespie's right-wing corner. Shortly afterwards, Mahon should have done better than fire over the crossbar from eight yards with the goal at his mercy, while at the other end Jon Stead's low cross from the right eluded Beattie only by a fraction. Following an uncertain start, Watford began to find their stride as the half wore on. In the 30th minute, McAnuff's left-wing cross picked out Lee Williamson, whose run into the penalty area had gone unchecked, only for the midfielder to head wide from close range. One minute later, there was a scare for Watford when DeMerit headed Stead's cross towards his own goal, and only Poom's awareness spared the American.

In the 51st minute, King's shot was deflected just over the bar for a corner, before Williamson put the Hornets in front five minutes later. The former Rotherham man moved onto Henderson's clever cross and struck a fierce 15-yard volley which clipped Bromby and flew past Paddy Kenny. Henderson should have put Watford 2-0 up in the 61st minute, but somehow managed to head Jordan Stewart's corner wide from four yards. Three minutes later, King fired narrowly over from 30 yards, and then Henderson steered a close-range shot straight at Kenny after McAnuff's flick-on had sent him clear. For United, Michael Tonge stung the palms of Poom with a 25-yard drive, and then Tommy Smith had to clear the ball off the line after Poom could only parry Tonge's free-kick. But in truth United had been poor today, and particularly in the second half. We all hope things will start to improve soon.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Watford:

Kenny 6, Morgan 6, Kilgallon 6, Bromby 7, Armstrong 7, Stead 6, Geary 6, Montgomery 6, Tonge 7, Gillespie 6, Webber 6, Shelton 6, Beattie 6.

15th August Blades manager Bryan Robson has told his seven strikers they all start equal but will stay in the team if they are scoring goals. The Blades boss saw Danny Webber and Jon Stead both score in the League Cup win over Chesterfield, while James Beattie got off the mark on the opening day against Colchester. Robson said: "The lads who get in there, if we're winning and they're scoring goals they'll stay in there. "I've now got to look at my strikers and see which ones can cause them most problems. It's up to me to try and get the balance right." Asked how he would keep them all happy Robson added: "You don't. Players aren't happy when they're left out of the team, but they know it's a long hard season in this division."

15th August Bryan Robson conceded United's impressive display in the League Cup win over Chesterfield was tempered by Gary Naysmith's injury. Naysmith, who arrived from Everton as part of the deal that saw Phil Jagielka move to Goodison Park, was forced out of the action early in the game with knee ligament damage. Two first-half goals from Blades striker Jon Stead and a third from Danny Webber not long into the second period eased United to a 3-1 victory - but progression through to the second round came at a price. Robson said: "The only things about this competition which is a concern to you as a manager are like Gary Naysmith doing his knee ligaments. "I hope it's not too serious - but it makes him a doubt for the weekend.

14th August Sheffield United 3 Chesterfield 1 (Attendance: 11,170)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Geary, Bromby, Kilgallon, Armstrong, Leigertwood, Tonge, Carney, Naysmith (Alan Quinn 9), Stead (Horsfield 79), Webber (Shelton 79).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Lucketti.

Scorers: Stead 14, 45, Webber 56.

Man of The Match: Derek Geary.

Chesterfield Line-up: Roche, Picken, Kovacs, Downes, Robertson, Ward (Smith 34), Niven, Winter, Leven, Lester, Allison (Lowry 66).
Subs Not Used: Gray, Fletcher, O'Hare.

Booked: Winter, Lester.

Referee: N Miller (Co Durham).

The Blades eased through the second round of the League Cup with a 3-1 victory over Chesterfield at Bramall Lane. Goals from Jon Stead and Danny Webber put an end to the Spireites hopes of causing an unlikely upset. United made six changes to the side held 2-2 by Colchester at the weekend. Leigh Bromby returned for the injured Chris Morgan. Lucketti, Montgomery, Hendrie, Gillespie, Beattie and Sharp were all rested. For Chesterfield, Jack Lester and Wayne Allison combined up front. Naysmith picked up a knock with only 30 seconds on the clock, and after a scrappy start, the Blades defender was replaced by Alan Quinn. After 14 minutes, United went ahead. Webber burst through after defenders' Aaron Downes and Phil Picken got into a tangle, and shot from 20 yards out, goalkeeper Barry Roche parried out but only for David Carney to supply Stead, and he fired into the far corner. Just three minutes later, Chesterfield were level. Jamie Ward took the ball forward and crossed from the left. Lester with Chris Armstrong's boot in his face, bravely noded the ball past Kenny from close range for the equaliser. But, in Injury time the Blades regained the lead. Bromby accurately lofted the ball into the box and Stead chested it down, and waited for goalkeeper Roche to go to ground before coolly lifting the ball into the bottom corner of the net. At the start of the second half, Unitedites had a shout for a penalty as the Blades immediately took the game to the Spireites. Michael Tonge released Webber on the left; he cut inside and was clipped by Janos Kovacs but the referee was unconvinced dismissed the appeal. The Blades now attacking the Shoreham Kop, went forward again, Carney got onto Stead's lay-off, and supplied Armstrong who fired just past the far post. After 53 minutes, Picken got clear and approached the box before crossing from the right to Allison, who beat his marker at the far post heading for Kenny to parry, but ‘the Chief’ was unable to convert the rebound. United then won a corner through Webber, Carney found Mikele Leigertwood who’s shot deflected for another corner, which was again deflected behind for a a thrid corner. Kovacs headed the corner clear, but Webber intercepted the loose ball and took it into the box before despatching fierce low shot pass the Spireites keeper. After 58 minutes, United were on the attack again. Derek Geary who is currently in great form, beat two men on the right and played the ball inside to Stead, he pulled it back to Carney whose shot was hacked off the line by Kovacs. On 79 minutes, Geoff Horsfield replaced Stead and Luton Shelton replaced Webber, as United slowed the pace down. Chesterfield managed a couple of corners late-on, but the game was over at this stage as the Blades comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Chesterfield:

Kenny 6, Geary 8, Bromby 6, Kilgallon 6, Armstrong 6, Leigertwood 6, Tonge 6, Carney 7, Naysmith 6, Alan Quinn 6, Stead 8, Horsfield 6, Webber 7, Shelton 6.

11th August Bryan Robson said two lapses in concentration had cost United two points after they drew 2-2 with Colchester at Bramall Lane. Robson's first match in charge of the Blades should have ended in victory after first James Beattie and then Michael Tonge fired them ahead. But Kevin McLeod and new signing Clive Platt equalised for Colchester, with Platt's header coming in the final minute. "I thought we played some quite good stuff in the second-half but we got too excited after scoring the first goal and switched off," said Robson. "We were all over the place and that shouldn't happen. "Once we got the second goal, I thought that would be enough to win it. But Matt Kilgallon, who had an outstanding game, just switched off in the last minute and allowed Platt a free header in the middle of our box. "Hopefully we'll learn from that and won't allow it to happen again

11th August Sheffield United 2 Colchester United 2 (Attendance: 26,202)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Naysmith, Kilgallon, Lucketti, Geary, Montgomery, Hendrie (Tonge 66), Gillespie, Leigertwood (Armstrong 66), Beattie, Sharp (Webber 87).
Subs Not Used: Bromby, Stead.

Booked: Leigertwood 22.

Scorers: Beattie 68, Tonge 82.

Man of The Match: Derek Geary.

Colchester Line-up:Gerken, Duguid, Baldwin, Elokobi, Connolly, Jackson, Izzet (Guttridge 87), Yeates, McLeod, Sheringham, Platt.
Subs Not Used: Cousins, Granville, White, Wordsworth.

Scorers: McLeod 68, Platt 89.

Referee: M Jones (Cheshire).

Bryan Robson's first match in charge of United was spoiled when Clive Platt fired a late equaliser for Colchester at Bramall Lane. Robson looked to be heading for an opening-day win against last season's surprise package after substitute Michael Tonge blasted home in the 82nd minute. But Platt, a summer signing for the U's, latched on to Karl Duguid's cross with a minute remaining and thumped the ball into the top corner to secure a 2-2 draw. James Beattie scored his first goal for the Blades for a 68th-minute lead after a frustrating first half for the Lane faithful. But Colchester equalised straight from the restart when Kevin McLeod converted at the far post. Blades skipper Chris Morgan was missing due to a calf strain and Rob Hulse continues his recovery from a broken leg. In sweltering heat at the Lane, Beattie and Billy Sharp spearheaded the Blades attack, while fellow summer signings Lee Hendrie and Gary Naysmith also made their debuts. Teddy Sheringham made his debut for Colchester the age of 41 alongside fellow new recruits Platt, Matthew Connolly and Mark Yeates. The early stages were dour with neither side able to muster a shot on goal until Yeates tried his luck from 20 yards for the U's. Sharp responded with a header from Derek Geary's cross which flew over the crossbar. Platt pulled his shot from inside the penalty area wide following Yeates' cross and three successive corners had Paddy Kenny under pressure, the last one forcing the Blades goalkeeper into a good save. Chris Lucketti headed Keith Gillespie's corner straight at Colchester goalkeeper Dean Gerken, who then held Hendrie's volley and Mikele Leigertwood's 20-yard effort soon after as the Blades sought to make the breakthrough. Gerken held Gillespie's header soon after the interval and Hendrie fired powerfully wide, while Johnnie Jackson's 25-yard free-kick was punched clear by Kenny at the Kop end. Beattie almost broke the deadlock when his header from Gillespie's cross hit the crossbar and when Sharp appeared to be brought down shaping to meet the rebound, the home fans were left furious as referee Michael Jones waved play on. The Blades were now on top and deservedly took the lead when Beattie rifled home from 12 yards after latching on to Geary's cross. But instantly from the re-start, Colchester drew level. Yeates broke clear down the right straight from the kick-off and his pin-point cross was swept home from close range by McLeod at the far post. Gerken denied Sharp soon after, holding on to the striker's shot from the edge of the area, but the Blades regained the lead with eight minutes to go. Substitute Tonge pounced on a loose ball following a corner and lashed home a low shot through a melee of defenders. United appeared to be off to a winning start, but back came Colchester and in the 89th minute Platt snatched a point for the U's, shooting into the top corner from six yards following Duguid's telling cross.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Colchester:

Kenny 6, Naysmith 6, Kilgallon 6, Lucketti 6, Geary 8, Montgomery 6, Hendrie 6, Gillespie 6, Leigertwood 7, Beattie 7, Sharp 7, Tonge 8, Armstrong 6, Webber -.

10th August United boss Bryan Robson admits his team are under pressure as they begin their quest for an immediate return to the Premier League. The Blades were relegated from the top flight last term but are one of the favourites to make an immediate return under Robson, who replaced Neil Warnock as manager this summer. Robson commenting said: "If you are a big club in any division and people say you have a strong squad then the pressure is there to try to get promotion. But there are probably another 12 clubs saying they are big clubs and are happy with their squads and their expectation will be to get promoted. It doesn't come as easy as that. You have got to work hard for a long season in the Championship. We are prepared to work hard and hopefully get the rewards at the end."

8th August Manager Bryan Robson has confirmed he is on the lookout for an attacking midfielder. Robson has been busy in the transfer market of late, after signing James Beattie and David Carney. However, Robson is looking to bring someone in to compliment Nick Montgomery and Mikele Leigertwood. "I am looking for an attacking midfielder, and if I can get him in by Saturday I think we'll have done well to get the right balance in the squad," he commented. "In Nick Montgomery and Mikele Leigertwood we have two players who are good at playing the midfield defensive role, so I know the type of attacking partner that I am looking for."

6th August Nick Montgomery insists he is close to full fitness, despite having only returned to full training this week. Montgomery has resumed contact training after a three-month spell on the sidelines recovering from a shoulder operation. He had undergone surgery to insert seven pins into the joint after a dislocation sustained in May. But Montgomery commented: "I have done all the pre-season fitness work, all the running and stuff, and work on my shoulder to build it up. "I am as fit as any of the lads but there is obviously a bit of match fitness missing. "The shoulder feels good although there is a little bit of soreness which will probably go on for another couple of weeks."

6th August James Beattie has revealed Bryan Robson was a major factor in why he opted for a switch to Bramall Lane. The 29-year-old former England international completed a £4million switch from Everton over the weekend, dropping out of the Premier League in the process. Beattie told the Sheffield Star: "I spoke to the manager and he said that he knew what I would be thinking. "So he went through them one by one and he was exactly right, it was as if he knew what I was thinking. "I spoke to plenty of well-respected people in the game and they all told me this would be a great place to come. "This is a great club with a rich history and I know how good the supporters can be."

6th August United have have re-signed goalkeeper Paul Gerrard after he was released at the end of last season. The former Oldham and Everton goalkeeper has signed a 12-month deal at Bramall Lane. The 33-year-old will provide cover for Blades manager Bryan Robson's first-choice pair Paddy Kenny and Ian Bennett. Gerrard spent last season on a season-long loan deal after leaving Nottingham Forest. Gerrard made two Premier League starts for the Blades last season and also started in the 3-0 home FA Cup defeat to Swansea.

5th August Manager Bryan Robson has warned James Beattie he is not guaranteed first-team football. The Blades completed the capture of the Everton striker this week in £4 million deal. Despite dropping down a division, Robson has stated the Southampton man has to fight for his place like everyone else. "I think that every manager in the Championship would love to have James Beattie in their squad," Robson told the club's official website. "James is really looking forward to it - he knows United's ambitions, and that we're a great club with great supporters. "He has to work hard and perform to get into the team because nobody walks straight into my team as everyone has an even chance."

4th August James Beattie is 'excited' by Bryan Robson's plans for United after completing his move to Bramall Lane. The former England international has joined The Blades in a £4million deal from Everton after struggling for first-team football last season. He was persuaded to drop down to the Championship by Robson and is looking forward to playing again on a regular basis. "I've obviously met the manager and the chairman, and they outlined the plans for the club for the next few years," Beattie told Sky Sports News. "The ambition and everything they've shown, and what they said to me, made me want to be a part of it. "It was hard and it was a difficult decision, but the manager has been a legend in the game.

4th August United have completed the signing of James Beattie from Everton. The Blades have paid £4 million to secure the signing of the England international in a deal which is something of a coup for the Blades. A number of Premier League clubs had been tracking him, but he has opted for a move to Bramall Lane. Beattie was presented to the fans before United's pre-season game with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, where he was joined by another new signing David Carney. Both players have put pen to paper on Saturday after passing medicals at Bramall Lane and were unveiled to fans ahead of their friendly clash with Nottingham Forest. Beattie, 29, managed two goals in 15 games during an injury-plagued season at Goodison Park last term. But Blades manager Bryan Robson is convinced Beattie can form a strong partnership up front with fellow summer recruit Billy Sharp. Beattie began his career as a trainee at Blackburn before clinching a £1million move to Southampton in the summer of 1998. Everton paid £6million for him in January 2005. Australia international midfielder Carney, 23, was given the go-ahead to discuss a £50,000 move to the Championship after Sydney FC executives initially denied his request to move to England. Carney, who featured in two of Australia's games at last month's AFC Asian Cup in a left-sided defensive role, is believed to have signed a three-year deal with the Blades. Carney, who featured in two of Australia's games at last month's AFC Asian Cup in a left-sided defensive role, is believed to have signed a three-year deal with the Blades.