It was a surprising decision from Heckingbottom to take Baldock off for Osborn in extra time, given the intensity and creative threat he was offering down the right.

The 29-year-old's contract runs for another two seasons at Bramall Lane, and he could be in fierce competition with Jayden Bogle for the right wing back berth heading into 2022/23.

The Verdict

The Blades will not compete towards the top end of the second tier in the transfer market this summer, and in the absence of Morgan Gibbs-White, who will return his parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Heckingbottom has a more difficult job on his hands if Sheffield United are to compete for promotion again next term.

Sander Berge is another very high profile player for Championship level, who could receive offers from the Premier League or other top-flights in the coming months.

The Blades are edging towards a crossroads, of whether they need to move away from the spine of John Fleck, Billy Sharp, Chris Basham and others, that has served them so well since Chris Wilder entered the dugout, but may not have the quality anymore to fire the club back to the top tier.