New Sheffield United manager Francesc de Nadal has had an encouraging start at Bramall Lane and has introduced a very exciting new footballing philosophy to the club. In this exclusive ESPN report we take a look behind the scenes to see what the Spaniard is doing right.

One of the ex-Barcelona player's first moves was to replace former captain Michael Doyle with local boy Harry Maguire who is only 20 years old. However, although this decision didn't go down too well with the Irishman at first, it has certain paid dividends in recent weeks. As captain Maguire has been exceptional at the back and as captain and some have called him the standout player in League 1 this season. Although, one must not forget the influence of his young centre back partner, Michael Keane, who has come in on loan from Manchester United and together they have formed a formidable defensive partnership. The downside to all the hype around these two young centre halves is that they will soon attract interest from bigger clubs and this poses the question: how long the Yorkshire club can hold on to their key defensive pairing?

November Update:

A poor month that started with great promise and ended in a string of poor results that would run into early December. Although there are positives as I retain third spot behind Rotherham and Wolves and we win our first cup game convincingly against Lincoln.


Shrewsbury Town 0 - 2 Sheffield United
J. Kirby (11)
M. Keane (23)


Sheffield United 3 - 0 Lincoln City (FA Cup)
J. Murphy (39)
J. Kirby (58, 87)


Bristol City 0 - 0 Sheffield United


Sheffield United 2 - 3 Walsall
M. Ngoo (5)
J. Murphy (7)
E. Omunzusi (15 OG)
J. Baxendale (47)
M. Doyle (60)


Leyton Orient 2 - 1 Sheffield United
J. Ness (22, 70)
B. Paynter (32)


Player of the month:
Conor Coady:
3 Clean sheets
The young England U20s captain was used at centre back a fair bit this month as Keane struggled with illness, and despite being a natural holding midfield he performed very well early on in the month.

QPR chairman Tony Fernandes has sacked manager Harry Redknapp after a string of poor results saw the Championship favourites languishing in 11th place. Redknapp, appointed in November 2012, has lost 3 of his last 5 games and Mr. Fernandes has said he had "no choice" but to relieve Redknapp of his duties. The Malaysian chairman is reportedly very interested in young Sheffield United manager Francesc de Nadal.

The bookies favourites to take up the job at Loftus road are as follows:
Steve McClaren - Unemployed : 3-1
Francesc de Nadal - Sheffield United : 5-1
Oscar Garcia - Unemployed : 6-1

Nice update with 'The Real Deal', I enjoyed it :). I hate those months when you start out solid and start dismantling in the latter stages of it. Good luck in your promotion bid! Can we see a league table ss? Interesting to see Redknapp sacked, but are you interested with the job that lies at Loftus Road?

December Update:

December was a fantastic month for the club, our poor form from November spilled over into early December, but after a few poor games we quickly regrouped and put together an impressive string of results, and importantly made it through to the next round of the FA Cup. We established ourselves as table toppers for the start of the new year and I was very proud to win my first manager of the month award.

[spoiler=League Table][/spoiler]


Sheffield United 0 - 2 Gillingham
E. Hewitt (10)
C. McDonald (25)


Sheffield United 0 - 0 Brentford


Sheffield United 1 - 0 Swindon
J. Murphy (32)


Brentford 1 - 3 Sheffield United
J. Murphy (4)
B. Paynter (25)
M. Trotta (44)
H. Maguire (71)


Stevenage Town 0 - 1 Sheffield United
J. Murphy (19)
H. Maguire (67)


Sheffield United 2 - 0 Oldham Athletic
C. Coady (17)
J. Baxter (57)


Sheffield United 1 - 0 Tranmere Rovers
B. Harris (31)


Player of the month:
John Brayford

http://images.football365.com/14/03/800x600/John-Brayford-Sheffield-United-1024_3097428.jpg

1 Assist
Although he didn't have any standout performances or stats this month, he was the only player to start all 7 games in what was a very busy month and he was consistent throughout. I really want him in the squad full time next season.

We joined Blades' manager Francesc de Nadal for an interview and to present him with his League 1 Manager of the Month trophy for December. The enthusiastic Spaniard has lead the lads to 4 victories in 5 League 1 matches over the course of the month and has had the boys playing some thrilling football. The 37, year old is fast becoming a fan favourite at Bramall Lane and having drawn Middlesborough in the FA Cup 4th round, there is an air of excitement in South Yorkshire for what this season might hold for the club.

SUFC.co.uk editor Tom Fraser also had some questions for the manager with regards to his future at the club with the Spaniard having been linked with the recently vacated post at Queens Park Rangers:

de Nadal: "I am Sheffield United boss, I go nowhere. I have contract at the club and I think we can achieve great things this season. We have encouraging young squad and I don't see think it would be, umm... clever... to leave a club where I am truly wanted. For me its not about money, its about passion, and we have it here."

The Blades fans must be delighted with this news and pleased with the way de Nadal praises the stature of the club.

Story's looking quality now mate, keep it up!

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02254/bbc-boys_2254344b.jpg
January 1st 2014:

Today marks the halfway point for many divisions in the Football League. We ask our panel of experts who they back to the Sky Bet League 1 this season.
[spoiler=League Table][/spoiler]

Jamie Carragher: Sheffield United - they are strong defensively and have a good manager with a wide array of attacking options.

Jamie Redknapp: Wolverhampton Wanderers - Very poor start, but they are the obvious choice with the strongest squad and are on a great run since their slow start.

Gary Neville: Wolverhampton Wanderers - The club is too big to be operating in this league and I can't see anyone beating them.

Michael Owen: Rotherham - Top at Christmas and are playing well, I can see them going the distance.

Alan Hansen: Sheffield United - I really like the way they're playing and I think they can improve further.

Gary Lineker: Sheffield United - Its close at the moment but Sheffield United have the money to strengthen in January and to go on and win the league.


It looks like our experts have made Sheffield Unite favourites, they certainly look good, and manager Francesc de Nadal has a very attractive, fluid style. We will have to wait until May.

Quick Manager's Update:

Just a quick update at the start of 2014:

Jose Baxter out for 4 weeks. Our mercurial trequartista faces a spell on the sideline and this will certainly make things harder for us this month.

Today also marks the start of the transfer window, I have already made one signing and i may do a little more business as time progresses.


Davide Petrucci - Manchester United - Loan

Tough to see Baxter out, but you've brought in a fantastic replacement, even good enough to displace Baxter. Good luck, it's looking tough up there at the top of the table!