Sheffield United are preparing for the most lucrative game in English football as they face off against Sunderland in the Championship play-off final next weekend.
Sheffield United’s passage to Wembley Stadium was relatively simple, easing past Bristol City 6-0 on aggregate, while Sunderland played out an epic contest against Coventry City.
The Blades are now one game of football away from clinching promotion to the Premier League, as the Championship play-off final takes centre stage on May 24.
For supporters, it will be a nervous six days waiting to see their destiny on the hallowed Wembley turf, with even some former players wishing them well on the big stage, including current Manchester United defender Harry Maguire.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Harry Maguire sends Sheffield United message ahead of Championship play-off final
A graduate of the Blades academy, Maguire spent three years in the first-team at Sheffield United, experiencing true highs and lows in South Yorkshire.
The 32-year-old played for the club when they were struggling in League One, appearing 166 times for the club while scoring an impressive 12 goals and notching 10 assists.
Maguire was even part of the United side that famously lost 5-3 to Hull City in the FA Cup semi-final in 2014 before sealing a move to the Tigers a couple of months later.
Naturally, the Englishman will have an affinity to the club, and ahead of their play-off final clash against Sunderland, the Man United star has sent a message to Chris Wilder and his players.
Harry Maguire 🤝 Sheffield United pic.twitter.com/1bIFGapV9o
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 16, 2025
“It was nice to be back, it was great to see some old faces, they’ve done well this season to get the amount of points that they have and Chris Wilder has done an amazing job,” Maguire said in an interview with Sky Sports.
“It’s a big game in the final against Sunderland, it will be an interesting one, and I know my good mate Jordan Pickford is a Sunderland fan. So we’ll have a bit of banter about it, but it’s going to be a great game and hopefully Sheff Utd can get the job done.”
Maguire’s career since leaving Sheffield United
In 2014, Maguire was famously snapped up by Hull City in a £2.5 million double deal that also saw Andy Robertson move to the MKM Stadium.
From there, he’s established himself as an exceptional Premier League defender. He spent just three seasons in East Yorkshire before joining Leicester City for £17 million in 2017 after Hull were relegated.
Maguire was then signed for a whopping £80 million by Manchester United in 2019, a world record for a defender, after just two seasons at the King Power Stadium.
Harry Maguire since leaving Sheffield United Appearances
Hull City 75
Leicester City 76
Manchester United 244
Although Maguire has earned mixed reviews since moving to Old Trafford, he’s still amassed 244 appearances for the club and is an important part of Ruben Amorim’s setup.