Speaking to Mirror Sport, Billy Sharp has highlighted a drinking session between teammates earlier in the season, as the catalyst to the club’s surge for promotion in Sky Bet League One.

Saturday’s victory over Northampton Town sealed the Blades’ promotion back to the Championship, with four fixtures of the season remaining.

United’s early season troubles, which saw them fail to pick up a victory in their first four fixtures, now seem a distant memory.

However, Sharp has now revealed what the club’s manager, Chris Wilder, did to help turn their season around, he said: “Managers have to move with the times now, and go along with sports science, but he’s old school and there was one thing he did which set him apart.

“We had just lost in the last minute at Millwall and everyone was feeling a bit down, but about 30 seconds into the journey home he stopped the bus outside an off licence and said, ‘Right, Sharpy, go and get the beers in.’

“I wasn’t quite sure what to make of it at first, and wondered if it was a little test, but he wasn’t kidding.

“Before you know it, we went on a 15-match unbeaten run, got ourselves right in the mix and we’ve never looked back.”

With automatic promotion now achieved, the Blades will set their sights on securing the League One title in the coming weeks.

Wilder’s side are nine-points clear of second-placed Bolton Wanderers, and could clinch the title over Easter, when they face Port Vale and Bradford City.

Blades fans… Did you imagine your club securing promotion this way, particularly after a difficult start to the season? Let us know in the comments!