Ahead of Mansfield Town’s Carabao Cup meeting with Sheffield United, Chad got insight on the Blades’ summer so far from The Star’s sports editor Chris Holt.

Unlike Stags, who have signed the transfer targets they sought out at the start of the summer, Sheffield United ‘haven’t really got going’ with their own business, says Chris Holt of our sister website The Star.

The Blades will face Mansfield Town on Sunday before their Championship season begins the following week. The last time these two sides met, Mansfield knocked United out of the FA Cup after their 4-3 win in the fourth round.

Stags have seen three senior players leave the One Call Stadium since they last faced Blades. Aaron Lewis and Dom Dwyer both departed following the expiration of their contracts, along with Victor Adeboyejo, who now plays for League One new boys Bromley. Loan recruits George Abbott and Oliver Irow also both returned to their parent club Tottenham Hotspur.

Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United, looks on prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield United and Mansfield Town at Bramall Lane on January 11, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

placeholder image — Chris Wilder, Manager of Sheffield United, looks on prior to the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield United and Mansfield Town at Bramall Lane on January 11, 2026 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Mansfield made it their mission to bolster their attack, which they have done with the signings of David McGoldrick and Michael Smith on free transfers. They also brought in Liam Thompson from Derby County for an undisclosed fee.

“It's largely been a summer of frustration for Sheffield United, who it feels haven't really got going in the transfer market,” Chris tells us. “Two new additions have been added – three if you include Jaïro Riedewald, who was released and then re-signed – and they are decent recruits.

“Romelle Donovan has come in from Brentford on loan for the season and on the basis of pre-season could be a bit of a livewire on the flanks. They also added hugely experienced Matt Doherty from Wolves who Chris Wilder will hope to provide the nous needed in big moments, with the team capitulated all too often last term.”

Stags won two of their pre-season fixtures and lost the other two but Clough has been left encouraged by what he has seen in recent weeks from his side. As for Sheffield United, they will face Mansfield without a single pre-season defeat on the board but their unbeaten run is only one part of the story for Chris ahead of this weekend in the Carabao Cup.

“It's hard to judge too much on the matches played so far – they've been unbeaten throughout against teams they should see off with ease but the lack of goals could be a concern going forward. Overall, as things stand, this could be a season where it may not be pretty but it could be effective.”