The Blades are all set for a busy December and will be well aware of the cluster of games which increases the chances of suspension and injury within the squad.
United start the Christmas period with a trip to Wolves this Sunday. Nuno Santo’s men sit one place above the Blades in the Premier League table. Both teams play expansive football, which sets the game up to be a cracker.
It’s the start of a run of fixtures where Chris Wilder will hope to pick up points. Home games with Watford, Newcastle, and Aston Villa are winnable on paper. While away trips to Norwich and Brighton aren’t the toughest Premier League away days possible.
However, the risk of injury and suspension is a worry. As reported by James Shield (Sheffield Star), earlier today, midfielder, John Lundstram, is one yellow card away from a ban.
MORE UNITED STORIES
Premier League rules state any player booked five times up to gameweek 19 must serve a one-match suspension.
Coincidentally, that takes United right up to the home Boxing Day fixture with Watford.
Lundstram’s all action style means he might well end up missing one of the games coming up. But it’s not only Lundstram who might have to worry.
Which other Sheffield United players might be at risk of suspension?
Surprisingly – or not – whichever way you look at it, United’s disciplinary record is pretty impressive this season.
For a team who play a high pressing game and give 100% for their manager, the card count is relatively low.
Indeed, only John Fleck and George Baldock have any major cause for worry. Both players sit on three yellow cards (WhoScored).
Outside of this, a handful of players such as Oli McBurnie, Dean Henderson, and Ollie Norwood sit with just the two bookings to their name. It’s a pretty impressive stat on the surface.
The Blades sit 14th in the table of yellow cards. Billy Sharp has the solitary red card on the United books this season.
December, then, might well not prove too much of an issue for the Blades when it comes to player suspension.