Michael Cooper's situation at Sheffield United cleared up by journalist amid online rumours | OneFootball

Michael Cooper was rumoured to be spending up to 12 months out with an injury before this revelation

Sheffield United's season looks set to fizzle out with the Blades in no danger of relegation nor breaking into the top six with five games to go, as supporters will be eager to see the back of this disappointing year.

In years to come, you will find few Sheffield United fans reminiscing on the 2025/26 season.

Ruben Selles' short-lived tenure, whilst many will have forgotten about already, plagued their entire campaign, with the Blades never really recovering from his poor start and abysmal recruitment.

Chris Wilder, whilst he has guided the club away from any relegation fears, will not be receiving many plaudits for the work he has done this year, having fallen well below expectations, and he will be just as keen as anyone to see the curtain fall on this campaign.

Poor performances have been rife throughout the entire squad, and it would be unfair to name and shame any particular players. However, the goalkeeping department has been under-par for almost the entirety of the season.

Both Michael Cooper and Adam Davies, for how good they have been over the years, will be just as disappointed as anyone with their campaigns.

Though Cooper has failed to hit similar heights as last year, Blades fans will be breathing big sighs of relief today after the latest update on the 26-year-old.

Rumours that Michael Cooper is out for up to 12 months have been quashed to the relief of Sheffield United fans

In Sheffield United's 2-1 home defeat to Coventry City in February, number one shot-stopper Cooper picked up a 'unique' injury following the clash, with Wilder later confirming the Exeter-born goalkeeper was to spend at least the next 12 weeks out injured.

Wilder said: "Coops felt something on Wednesday night and he rocked up Thursday morning with a load of swelling around his knee. He went for a scan and it's a really unique injury, from speaking to the doctor. It was something around the back of his knee.

"Then we've looked back at the footage of the game and we can see what's happened. But it's a unique one, really, and a frustrating one. But he's out for 12 weeks now, which obviously takes him into pre-season. But he's okay for pre-season, there's no surgery needed. He just needs to rehab, rest and naturally heal.

This has effectively ruled him out for the remainder of this season, leaving deputy keeper Davies to step in between the sticks during his absence.

Rumours had begun to circulate online among Sheffield United supporters that it wasn't 12 weeks, but instead 12 months that Cooper would be out for, following an operation on the injury.

However, Sheffield Star's Danny Hall confirmed via X that those were nothing but rumours, and that Cooper wouldn't be spending the next year on the sidelines.

Whilst the former Plymouth Argyle keeper hasn't quite been at his best this year, it will still no doubt come as a huge relief to Blades fans, who will be eager to see him back in goal and performing at the levels he has demonstrated he is capable of sooner rather than later.

Chris Wilder will be eager to get Michael Cooper back to his best at Sheffield United after an injury setback

With nothing to play for, these final five games provide Wilder with the chance to test his Blades squad and see who he wants to stick around next season, with a busy summer on the horizon.

No wins in their last six will have told him more than six wins could have possibly done, as the 58-year-old will be starting to get a clearer picture of what his side may look like heading into next season.

Cooper, despite a down year, will almost certainly retain his place between the sticks at Bramall Lane, as Wilder will know more than anyone what he is capable of.

According to FotMob, Cooper has allowed 6.8 more goals than expected this season, with only West Bromwich Albion's Joshua Griffiths allowing more in the Championship this campaign.

Numerous factors will have led to this point, as Cooper has obviously not become a bad shot-stopper overnight, and Wilder must get to the crux of his underperformance heading into next year.

Sheffield United is to challenge in the upper echelons of the second tier.