25th May Released defender Derek Geary will decide whether to keep on playing after a summer break as he continues to struggle with a knee problem. The 29-year-old full-back, one of nine United players whose contract will not be renewed, has made only 10 league appearances in the last two seasons. Geary, who began his career accros the city in 1997, said: "I've been with the club a long time, so it's disappointing to be leaving, but with the injuries over the last two years it's probably the right time to move on, although it's still emotional. "My six years with the Blades have been great after leaving Sheffield Wednesday, but I've just loved every minute of my time in the city to be honest. "I need to take a break over the summer and rest the knee. Everyone knows about my problems, but I'll assess things and see what my options are. "I want to carry on, but I'm also realistic about the situation too. I'm 30 next month so I will see how I feel in a few weeks. If I can carry on I will, if not I won't - it's that simple."

21st May Chris Morgan has put his coaching plans on hold to sign a new three-year contract at the club. Back in January, the Blades exercised an option to secure Morgan on a contract for next season and the long-serving defender has now signed until 2013. Morgan is keen to get into coaching at the end of his playing career and revealed the club are ready to offer him assistance to fulfil this ambition. The 32-year-old said: "The club was willing to talk to me about helping me get my badges, which is nice of them, but my priority now is playing while I can." He added: "Players are fitter and better looked after these days and if you can avoid serious injury you can carry on longer if you still have the enthusiasm. "I've been here seven years already and feel part of the furniture in a good way. The club has changed in so many ways during that time and I'm grateful that they've seen fit to recognise that I'm worth another three years. "I still feel fit and strong and until the legs start telling me otherwise I will keep playing."

17th May United have released nine players, including favourite Derek Geary. Eight other players have been given released by Blackwell - Glen Little, Henri Camara, Jonathon Fortune, James Harper, Justin Haber, Ian Bennett and reserve duo Liban Abdi and Sam Wedgbury. The United boss said: "I would like to thank all of them for what they have given Sheffield United and hope they soon find clubs. "It is always sad to see long-serving players leave, particularly those who have served us well, but we are rebuilding a squad that we hope will equip us for a promotion challenge and this will give us some leeway towards bringing others in."

13th May Manager Kevin Blackwell will be demanding his players are fit enough to play in "35-40 games" over the course of next season. A succession of long-term injuries at Bramall Lane scuppered the Blades' promotion hopes during the 2009/10 campaign and Blackwell will rebuild in the summer with players' durability at the forefront of his mind. Henri Camara, who has joined Greek side Atromitos after his short-term contract expired, was one such player who had fitness issues and Blackwell said: "It's not only wages that are important, fitness is too. "With clubs likely to operate with smaller squads a manager has to look at players who he knows are likely to be able to give him 35-40 games a season. "We know from the injury problems we had last season that when players break down through long-standing injuries, or the lack of a proper pre-season, it leads to inconsistency and further demands on the budget to bring in loans.

6th May United coach Gary Speed is thoroughly enjoying his new role at Bramall Lane after accepting his playing days are finally over. Speed, who made a total of 40 appearances for the Blades after arriving from Bolton in a £250,000 deal in January 2008, signed a new two-year coaching contract at Bramall Lane last summer. The former Wales international, who made his last appearance in November 2008 due to a troublesome back injury, said: "I can still take part and play in training no problem. "But I've been out so long that I have lost the sharpness and spring that a player needs at this level. "Everyone knows that I was always interested in coaching and management and I'm thoroughly enjoying things here. "The gaffer and Sam Ellis bring so much experience and knowledge to the table and keep me very much involved."

2nd May Ipswich Town 0 Sheffield United 3 (Attendance: 23,003)

Blades Line-up: Kenny, Nosworthy (Little 85), Naysmith, Morgan, Bartley, Lowton, Harper, Montgomery, Yeates, Cresswell, Evans.

Subs Not Used: Aksalu, Seip, Geary, Fortune, Foster, James.
Scorers: Yeates 34, Evans 56, Cresswell 63.

Man of The Match: Mark Yeates.

Ipswich Line-up: B.Murphy, Peters, McAuley, Eastman, Smith (O'Connor 57), Walters, Garvan, Norris (Clark 57), Leadbitter, Colback (Brown 62), Wickham.

Subs Not Used: Lee-Barrett, Martin, Edwards, Hyam.

Bookings: Eastman 41.

Sent-Off: Eastman 58 (second bookable offence).

Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex).

Mark Yeates scored one goal and created another two as Sheffield United ended their long wait for an away victory as Ipswich were beaten 3-0. There was a debut for Matthew Lowton in midfield. Mark Yeates returned to the starting line-up on the left wing. And Ched Evans partnered Richard Cresswell in attack. For Ipswich, centre-back Tom Eastman make his debut, Own Garvan went into his familiar midfield position in a five man midfield.
The first ten minutes came and went without any notable action. Grant Leadbitter tried to test Paddy Kenny in the Blades goal with a tame drive from 25 yards in the first shot of the match. Soon after, Yeates and then Evans fired over for United. Kenny was kept active by another Leadbitter drive before the Tractor Boy’s almost got a breakthrough, Jon Walters crossing from the right and Garvan heading against the far post, the ball hitting Chris Morgan on the way out and rolling inches wide for a corner.
Then, Kyle Bartley stopped Jack Colback with a great tackle in the Blades 18 yard box before Kevin Blackwell’s men grabbed the lead soon after. Gary Naysmith on the right sent Yeates on his way and he stormed toward the edge of the Ipswich box before unleashing an unstoppable volley which might have deflected off Garreth McAuley and beat goalkeeper Brain Murphy to give United the lead and stun the home fans.
The home side responded with Leadbitter setting up Jaime Peters with a clever back heel, his cross headed away by Bartley. Evans sent Murphy scampering back to his goal with a 40 yard effort after Eastman's header had fallen into his path. Eastman then picked up a booking after pulling back Nyron Nosworthy just before the break. The Blades started the second half on the front foot with Yeates testing Murphy, who had to save with his feet. Midfielder Lowton nearly added a second, but his glancing header went just wide of the mark. After 55 minutes, the Blades extended their lead and it was some superb football which brought the second goal. A short ball from Cresswell on the left sent Yeates storming down the left flank and he squared a perfect ball for Evans. The Blades striker cracked the ball with his left foot straight beyond the keeper into the top right of the net. The home side immediately made two changes, Tommy Smith and David Norris making way for Shane O'Connor and Billy Clark. Worse was to follow for Roy Keane’s men soon after.  Lowton tried to latch onto a loose ball just inside the Ipswich half and Eastman dived in with a reckless challenge which brought a second yellow card for the Ipswich debutant.
The match was all over when United added a third goal soon after. Yeates made his way into the Ipswich 18 yard box and shot at goal and Murphy did well to parry the fiercely hit shot away, but the ball bounced high enough for Cresswell to react and he headed the ball over the line. Late on, Yeates could have added another when he again got into the Ipswich box and launched another well hit strike that fizzed just wide.  It had been an enjoyable last day of the season. We can now look forward to a busy summer of new signings and another attempt at promotion next season. The Championship will be a lot more even next season with Burnley and Hull returning and United will definitely start the campaign as one of the promotion favourites.

Blades Player Performance Ratings v. Ipswich: Kenny 7, Nosworthy 6, Little 6, Naysmith 7, Morgan 7, Bartley 7, Lowton 7, Harper 6, Montgomery 6, Yeates 8, Cresswell 7, Evans 7.