2019/20 Premier League preview - Sheffield United: Chris Wilder's men out to defy expectations by avoiding relegation

Richard Jolly runs the rule over Sheffield United ahead of the new season, including key player, new signing to watch and predicted league finish

20. Sheffield United. Chris Wilder, pictured, has achieved a great deal in getting the Blades up, but staying in the top flight could be a task too far. PA Photo

19. Brighton & Hove Albion. Graham Potter, pictured, faces a tough ask after taking over as manager from Chris Hughton. Getty

18. Newcastle United. A tough set of opening home fixtures could be difficult for Steve Bruce, pictured, and his side to recover from. Getty

17. Norwich City. They need to tighten up defensively but the goals of Teemu Pukki, pictured, can keep them up. Getty

16. Aston Villa. Jack Grealish, pictured, will have a key role to play in Villa's survival hopes. Getty

15. Burnley. Sean Dyche's, pictured, team to have a steadier time of things after last season's early struggles. Reuters

14. Bournemouth. Eddie Howe's side to maintain their attacking ethos though they will help Lloyd Kelly, pictured, can help shore things up at the other end. Getty

13. Crystal Palace. Once again will be dependent on the goals of Wilfried Zaha, pictured. Reuters

12. Watford. Concerns over a leaky defence but the quality of Gerard Deulofeu, pictured, should leave them in mid-table. AP Photo

11. Southampton. Stability should come the Saints way under manager Ralph Hasenhuttl, pictured. PA Photo

10. Wolverhampton Wanderers. Balancing Europa League with domestic games may prove tough. Will look to more fine form from captain Conor Coady, pictured. Getty

9. West Ham United. Should be another solid season with the hope Felipe Anderson, pictured, can kick on. Getty

8. Everton. Bringing in Moise Kean, pictured, is a coup and should help Marco Silva's side continue to progress. Getty

7. Leicester City. Signing Youri Tielemans, pictured, permanently will boost Leicester's hopes of a real push at the top six. Reuters

6. Arsenal. Unai Emery will hope the record signing of Nicolas Pepe and the goals of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, pictured, can push them closer to the top four. EPA

5. Chelsea. New manager Frank Lampard needs big things from Christian Pulisic, pictured, if they are to excel. Reuters

4. Manchester United. Signings such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, pictured, will tighten things up and should get United back in top four. Getty

3. Tottenham Hotspur. Third place again for Spurs, though more is needed from Dele Alli, pictured. Getty

2. Liverpool. Mohamed Salah, pictured, will be pivotal again but Jurgen Klopp's men to finish behind City again. AFP

1. Manchester City. Hard to see beyond another title success for Pep Guardiola's, pictured, side. Getty

Over the past three seasons, only Pep Guardiola has taken more points than Chris Wilder as Sheffield United have gone from League One to the top flight.

A surprise promotion was a deserved one: United ended with the best defence, best home form and, with a solitary defeat in their last 18 games, as they prospered under pressure.

If Wilder’s interpretation of 3-5-2 is unique, United altered their unique strategy of only signing British and Irish players to make French striker Lys Mousset one of a series of club-record buys.

He, Ben Osborn, Luke Freeman, Callum Robinson and the excellent returning goalkeeper Dean Henderson are not big-name additions but favourites for relegation may savour a status as outsiders.

Key player: Ravel Morrison

United were linked with Franck Ribery. Instead, they made another left-field signing of a hugely talented player. Rio Ferdinand called Morrison the most talented young player he had seen and he may represent a case of squandered potential but he is still only 26. Wilder is hoping he can unlock that potential.

Signing to watch: Phil Jagielka

Back at Bramall Lane after 12 years at Everton, a man who turns 37 next month will be among the division’s oldest players. Jagielka offers vast experience, but it will be instructive how he adapts to a very different role among Wilder’s three centre-backs, especially after a bit-part role last season.

Talking point: Adapting to the Premier League

Normally the question for a promoted team is how Championship players will adapt to the Premier League. At Bramall Lane, many were League One footballers in 2016/17 – Billy Sharp, Mark Duffy, John Fleck, Kieron Freeman, Chris Basham and Jack O’Connell – while Enda Stevens was in League Two.

They stepped up to the second tier superbly, with several among the division’s outstanding players last season, but the gap to the highest level is bigger still. The skipper Sharp has the most league goals in the 21st century – 227 – but none have come in the top flight. Hopefully that will change.

Prediction: 20th