Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has overseen successful transfers in all three of his tenures at the club.

Wilder will always be a Blades hero since he led the Steel City team to League One glory in 2017, and then to automatic promotion from the Championship just two years later.

He then defied the odds, leading the Bramall Lane club to ninth place in the Premier League in 2020, just two points behind Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

Sheffield United fans will always be appreciative for many of Wilder’s signings, especially midfielder Oliver Norwood, who excelled in both the Championship and the Premier League before joining Stockport County in 2024.

Sheffield United and Chris Wilder will always thank Manchester City for David Brooks’ transfer call.

Along with Norwood, the Blades fans will remember the contributions of defender Jack O’Connell, who Wilder brought to Bramall Lane in the summer of 2016.

The centre-back was instrumental in South Yorkshire’s promotion from League One and the Championship.

Meanwhile, Wilder and Sheffield United will always be thankful to Manchester City for releasing David Brooks from their star-studded academy.

The attacking midfielder responded to Man City’s summons by telling Sky Sports in 2018: “Getting released from City was a big step for me, to go and find a new club, and I think it basically teaches you that you don’t want that feeling again, obviously the devastation at the time.”

Brooks earned his first professional contract with the Blades in March 2015, before spending time on loan at neighboring Yorkshire club Halifax Town during the 2015/16 National League season.

The eventual Wales international made his senior debut for Wilder’s side the following season, appearing in four games across all competitions but not one in the league.

However, by the 2017/18 season, Brooks had established himself as a regular for the Bramall Lane club, scoring three goals and assisting five times in 33 Championship, FA Cup, and EFL Cup games.

The former Manchester City youngster’s performances helped the Blades finish 10th in the second division, only one year after securing promotion from League One.

Brooks’ first senior goal came as a substitute in Sheffield United’s 2-1 victory against Yorkshire rivals Leeds United in October 2017, making the wait worthwhile.

The dynamic midfielder also signed a new deal with Wilder’s side that month, extending his stay at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2021.

However, he would instead conclude a permanent deal to Bournemouth in July 2018, for a cost of £11.5 million, according to Sky Sports.

Wilder and Sheffield United were overjoyed that Brooks had helped them gain such a large transfer fee despite the fact that he had been signed for free.

Furthermore, the South Yorkshire club, along with Norwich City, won automatic promotion to the Premier League in their first season after Brooks left.

David Brooks’ transfer fee contributed to a highly successful Sheffield United window.

Bournemouth’s 2018 summer signing was a standout for Sheffield United, but it was his transfer fee that Wilder’s side were ultimately most grateful for.

According to Sky Sports, United’s Brooks sale facilitated their acquisition of centre-back John Egan, who went to South Yorkshire from Brentford for £4 million.

Egan remained with the Blades until 2024, when he joined Burnley, where he offered good service in both the Championship and the Premier League.

Wilder’s other 2018 summer additions included the aforementioned Norwood, former Ipswich Town striker David McGoldrick, and ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, all of whom went on to play for the Steel City club in the Premier League.

These signings gave the Blades even more reason to be pleased when Manchester City elected to release Brooks, putting him on the route to Bramall Lane.