By Tom Blow.
Sheffield United are back in the Premier League after securing automatic promotion from the Championship on Wednesday night.
The Blades saw off West Brom 2-0 at Bramall Lane thanks to strikes from Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge and Bosnian defender Anel Ahmedhodzic.
United were relegated from the big time two years ago but will be playing the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal again after a brilliant campaign. Paul Heckingbottom’s side also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, losing 3-0 to Manchester City.
Burnley and United have inhabited the Championship’s top two for much of the season, with the Clarets winning the title on Tuesday night. The Blades have now confirmed second place thanks to their win over the Baggies.
Although United have won promotion with three games to spare, it’s been a tricky couple of months. They seemed destined for the Premier League after beating Swansea 3-0 in February to go 10 points clear of Middlesbrough in third with a game in hand.
Yet a 3-1 home defeat to Boro in their very next game breathed life into the automatic promotion race. Michael Carrick’s side then found themselves just four points behind the Blades when Luton won 1-0 at Bramall Lane in March.
That result also brought Luton back into the mix, with some pundits expecting Heckingbottom’s side to be hunted down. Yet United have always remained in front of the chasing pack. In the end, they needed to win just one of their last four games.
Senegal’s World Cup star Iliman Ndiaye has led their promotion charge with 13 goals and eight assists in the Championship. Oli McBurnie, who failed to score in the league last season, has bounced back from that disappointment to find the net 11 times.
“He [Ndiaye] could be whatever he wants to be,” McBurnie told BBC Sport. “Some of the things you see him do on the pitch now he’s been doing in training for the past few years. His knowledge has grown so much under the coaches. Tactically he’s perfect.
“It’s easy for me, I just have to give it him and he’ll dribble past everyone. He’s a pleasure to play with. It’s no surprise fans are drawn to him.”