Derby County manager John Eustace has outlined how he believes Sheffield United will perform in the Championship next season following their poor 2025-26 campaign.

The Rams were defeated 2-1 by the Blades on the final day of the season, with goals from Tom Cannon and Sydie Peck canceling out Sammie Szmodics’ opener.

Derby had been in the top six for a little portion of the season’s last day, but their defeat to Chris Wilder’s side meant they missed out on a Championship play-off spot, finishing four points behind Hull City.

Nonetheless, Eustace’s team had a substantially stronger season than South Yorkshire, who finished 13th in the standings despite their final-day win.

John Eustace reduces Sheffield United’s 2026/27 projection as Chris Wilder plans summer redevelopment.

Following Sheffield United’s generally unsuccessful Championship campaign, Wilder understands that manager will have to oversee numerous changes in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Former England striker Danny Ings is one of the players expected to leave Bramall Lane ahead of next season, while the Blades are considering selling midfielders Gus Hamer and Peck.

Facilitating the departures of such high-profile players may help the South Yorkshire club to make the signings required to launch a Championship play-off challenge next season.

Eustace, speaking to the Sheffield Star, chimed in on how the Blades may perform next season, saying: “This year, they made a change, and he (Wilder) came (back) late.”They have an excellent roster of players. I am confident he will choose the best ones to keep and then add more.

Sheffield United is a top Championship team. “They consistently rank in the top 10 year after year.”Chris is an extremely experienced top manager at this level. I am confident that he will select a competitive squad of players.

They’re still a good team this season. I am confident that they will add two or three more quality players to the roster. And they will undoubtedly compete for a place in the Premier League next year.

As Eustace mentioned, the Blades parted ways with Wilder last summer, replacing him with former Hull manager Ruben Selles.

However, Selles supervised a disastrous start to the season at Bramall Lane, losing all six games he managed before being fired.

Wilder has guided Sheffield United away from relegation danger, but he has yet to develop the consistency required to challenge for the play-off places.

The Blades’ 13th-place performance in the Championship this season is their lowest in the second tier since being relegated to League One in 2011.

John Eustace and Derby County also face a crucial summer transfer window.

The scope of the overhaul that Wilder intends to supervise at Bramall Lane this summer has already been well chronicled, but the Blades are not the only Championship club that requires a successful transfer window ahead of next season.

Derby did well to reach the play-offs in their second season after being promoted from League One, but they won’t be satisfied.

The Rams will aim to make another top-six push next season, but it will necessitate adding players to their roster this summer.

Acquiring Ben Brereton Diaz and Sammie Szmodics, who have played on loan for Derby from Southampton and Ipswich Town, respectively, would be a solid start to the window for Eustace.