Sheffield United to Face Weakened Boro Team After Significant Transfer Developments | OneFootball

Sheffield United make the trip to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday still searching for their first points of the campaign.

But if there is reason for optimism, it comes in the form of fresh faces. United have confirmed two new signings this week: experienced striker Danny Ings, who arrives as a free agent after leaving West Ham, and commanding defender Japhet Tanganga, who joins on a three-year deal from Millwall.

Ruben Selles On New Signings

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 15: Japhet Tanganga of Millwall during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall FC and Stoke City FC at The Den on March 15, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, Selles was quick to highlight Tanganga’s qualities:

“Japhet was one of the first names we talked about when I joined the club, as we looked to add more power defensively and he was one of the best centre-backs in the division last season.

The way he plays, he can defend bigger spaces and manage the tempo of the game on the ball, he can help us moving forward and he already has some very good experiences and skills that can make us better.

He is best as a centre-back, but can also be good in bigger spaces, defending against powerful wingers in that area of the pitch.”

On the arrival of Ings, the Blades boss added:

“We thought we were powerful with three strikers, but Kieffer [Moore] then left to go to Wrexham and we felt we needed to replace his experience and knowhow. Danny is fit and wants to prove himself by scoring goals and he is another good addition for us as a player and as a person.

He is coming to challenge for the number nine position, he knows the game, he’s got qualities in and around the box.”

Selles Previews Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 23: Ruben Selles, Manager of Sheffield United, looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Millwall at Bramall Lane on August 23, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

The United manager knows the importance of getting points on the board as soon as possible, given the club’s position at the foot of the table:

“I think we have a great opportunity on Saturday to get the three points and we are going to go and try to compete and try to be the best version of ourselves against a good team that has had a fantastic start in terms of results.

We know where we are, we know where we can be and we need to think first about how do we want to do things and then playing every single moment of that game.”

With the Blades still pointless, questions have inevitably surfaced regarding Selles’ job security, especially given United’s return under Chris Wilder last term.

“I know how football is and if you don’t win football matches you are more close to be out than to be in. But that’s the nature of the game. I’ve been there before and it is what it is.

I don’t spend much time thinking about those things. My communication has been equal with any person in the club as it has been for the last more than two months right now. I feel like everyone is on board. I feel that, especially with the new transfers, we are getting things done properly and we will move forward.”

The Spaniard also spoke highly of this weekend’s opponents. He said regarding Middlesbrough, “I think that it’s a very effective team, well organised, that maximise their chances. They have been a threat in set-plays and have been a threat in quick attacks, transitional or just in possession quick attacks, with a very good structure when they defend. It’s going to be a good challenge for us.”

Boro Significantly Weakened Ahead of Blades Clash

MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 03: Sunderland player Jobe Bellingham challenges Middlesbrough player Finn Azaz during the Sky Bet Championship match between Middlesbrough FC and Sunderland AFC at Riverside Stadium on February 03, 2025 in Middlesbrough, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

While United will look to unleash their new recruits, Middlesbrough come into the fixture significantly weakened. Standout midfielder Finn Azaz, who already has one goal and one assist this season after finishing the previous campaign with 23 goal contributions, has joined Southampton in a £12 million deal, per BBC Sport.

Doubts are also lingering over the future of 23-year-old Hayden Hackney. The Englishman has reportedly told Boro he wants a move to the Premier League if a top-flight club comes calling for his services this window, with Everton and West Ham United monitoring him. This comes after he turned down a move to Championship rivals Ipswich Town earlier this summer.

He too (like Azaz) already has a goal and an assist to his name in the league, after racking up eight goal contributions from holding midfield last term.

Can Sheffield United Finally Get Points on the Board Against High Flying Boro?

With Boro potentially set to lose Hackney, Sheffield United could be facing a heavily changed midfield, though we shall wait to see if Rob Edwards does indeed include Hackney in his team on Saturday.

Likewise, an extremely clinical Middlesbrough could line up against a new look Blades defence with the recent acquisitions of Tanganga and Nils Zatterstrom, who could both make their debuts at the weekend, as could new forward Danny Ings.

Middlesbrough have started the season in commanding fashion, sitting second in the table and only behind Stoke City on goal difference.

They’ve created an expected goals tally of three in the league, but have managed to net six, making them the third-highest overperforming team in this metric, per Opta.

Defensively, they’ve given up the second-lowest amount of quality chances in the Championship and have only conceded once.

Sheffield United, who are at the foot of the table by contrast, have just a single goal to show for an expected goals total of 4.18 – they’re the second-most underperforming team in this metric with only Southampton being worse. At the other end of the pitch, the Blades have given up over four xG, allowing their opponents to average a conversion rate of over 15% – making them the third-worst team in the division in this particular metric.