Five Sheffield United players who may have played their final game for Chris Wilder after Wembley defeat

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Sheffield United supporters will still be shell-shocked by Sunderland’s dramatic injury time winner in the Championship play-off final on Saturday afternoon, as the Black Cats secured promotion.

It was all going so well for the Blades, as Tyrese Campbell found the back of the net in the 25th minute to hand his side an early lead before Harrison Burrows looked to have doubled the South Yorkshire outfit’s advantage.

However, VAR ruled out Sheffield United’s second goal and the Black Cats responded in the second-half through Eliezer Mayenda, who fired in excellently to level the contest.

Then, in the 95th minute, Tom Watson secured promotion for Sunderland with a stunning effort from distance, leaving Chris Wilder crestfallen and now there will be several stars that may have just played their final game in red-and-white.

Five Sheffield United players who may leave this summer

Gustavo Hamer

Gustavo Hamer joined the Blades in the summer of 2023 while they were in the Premier League, but he could not keep them in the division as they were relegated back to the second tier with just 16 points from 38 games.

In the summer, Leeds United showed interest but Sheffield United were keen to keep hold of their number eight, with The Star reporting that a £13m bid was rejected.

But following more play-off disappointment for the Blades, the Championship Player of the Season may just be set to depart permanently and Saturday may just have been his final game under Wilder with top flight football surely a desire of the midfielder.

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Anel Ahmedhodzic

Despite conceding twice, Anel Ahmedhodzic was relatively unchallenged throughout the game at Wembley, and he could do nothing to stop Watson’s stunning winner.

The centre-back has been a shining light for the Blades this season, and following Harry Souttar’s campaign-ending injury, he has shown his quality next to the experience Jack Robinson at the heart of Wilder’s defence.

However, similar to Hamer, he will have his heart set on playing in the top flight and he could be an excellent defensive option for any of the three sides making their way up to the Premier League for 2025/26.

Kieffer Moore

Kieffer Moore will still be replaying the errant back pass that allowed Sunderland to win the game in his head, after he nearly took the lead inside the opening two minutes with an extraordinary Anthony Patterson save denying him from close range.

The striker had an excellent play-off campaign, with Bristol City struggling to contain Moore in both legs of their semi-final clashes.

However, at 32, Wilder may want to look for a younger partner for Tom Cannon going forward and this may leave the former Cardiff City ace with no option but to find a new club in the summer to ensure that he is able to play consistent football.

Jack Robinson

Jack Robinson started alongside Ahmedhodzic at Wembley on Saturday, but his dream of captaining the Blades back to the top flight never came true and now his future at the club is up for debate.

The 31-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and Wilder will be looking to improve his defence in the transfer window as Sheffield United bid for automatic promotion in 2025/26.

Robinson’s experience has been crucial for the South Yorkshire side, but more quality is needed in the heart of the defence if they are to take that next step next season, and the former Nottingham Forest centre-back may be one of those to lose his place at the club.

Vinicius Souza

After an uncertain summer at the start of the campaign, Vinicius Souza has shown his class in the Championship over the course of the last nine months, and he has been a rock in the heart of the Blades’ midfield.

However, as per ESPN, Brazilian club Palmeiras were showing an interest in the 25-year-old in January and clubs who have targeted the midfielder in the past may just return to Sheffield United in the coming weeks with fresh offers.

It was Souza’s positioning in front of Anthony Patterson that denied his team a second goal on Saturday, and it’s a moment that will still haunt him. But after such an excellent campaign, he may just have played his final game for Chris Wilder.

• READ MORE – Forget Gustavo Hamer, another ‘incredible’ Sheffield United star could exit after play-off defeat