Man City transfer decision handed Chris Wilder serious Sheffield United gold | OneFootball

David Brooks was a class act for Sheffield United after being released by Manchester City

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has completed successful transfer business in all three of his stints in charge of the Bramall Lane outfit.

Wilder will always be a Blades hero because he steered the Steel City club to the League One title in 2017, guiding them to automatic promotion from the Championship just two years later.

He then defied the odds to guide the Bramall Lane club to ninth place in the Premier League in 2020, finishing just two points behind Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

Sheffield United supporters will always be grateful for many of the signings Wilder brought to their side, including midfielder Oliver Norwood, who performed well in both the Championship and the top flight before joining Stockport County in 2024.

Sheffield United and Chris Wilder will always thank Manchester City for David Brooks transfer call

Alongside the acquisition of Norwood, the Blades faithful will never forget the contributions of defender Jack O'Connell, who Wilder brought to Bramall Lane in the summer of 2016.

The centre-back played a vital role in the South Yorkshire side's aforementioned promotions from both League One and the Championship.

Meanwhile, Wilder and Sheffield United will always be grateful for Manchester City's decision to release David Brooks from their star-studded academy.

The attacking midfielder reacted to that call from Man City, and told Sky Sports in 2018: "Getting released from City was a big step for me, to go and find a new club, I think it basically teaches you that you don't want that feeling again, obviously the devastation at the time."

Brooks signed his first professional deal with the Blades in March 2015, before spending time on loan with fellow Yorkshire club Halifax Town in the 2015/16 National League season.

The eventual Wales international made his senior debut for Wilder's men the following campaign, and made four appearances across all competitions, but did not make a league outing.

However, by the 2017/18 season, Brooks was a regular feature for the Bramall Lane outfit, scoring three goals and producing five assists in 33 appearances in the Championship, FA Cup, and EFL Cup.

The former Man City youngster's performances helped the Blades finish 10th in the second tier just one year on from clinching promotion from League One.

Brooks' first goal in senior football was worth the wait, as he scored as a substitute in Sheffield United's 2-1 victory over Yorkshire rivals Leeds United in October 2017.

The creative midfielder also signed a new contract with Wilder's men that month, extending his terms at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2021.

However, he would instead complete a permanent transfer to Bournemouth in July 2018, for a fee that was worth £11.5million, as per Sky Sports.

Wilder and Sheffield United were left delighted by the fact that Brooks helped them earn such a handsome transfer fee, having acquired his services for free.

Furthermore, the South Yorkshire outfit clinched automatic promotion to the Premier League alongside Norwich City in their first season after Brooks' exit.

David Brooks transfer fee helped fund a hugely successful Sheffield United window

Bournemouth's 2018 summer signing was a class act for Sheffield United, but it was his transfer fee that Wilder's men were ultimately left the most grateful for.

United's Brooks sale helped facilitate their move for centre-back John Egan, who moved to South Yorkshire from Brentford for a deal worth £4m, as reported by Sky Sports.

Egan stayed with the Blades until 2024, when he joined Burnley, and he provided the Bramall Lane club with excellent service in both the Championship and the Premier League.

Wilder's other 2018 summer signings included the aforementioned Norwood, former Ipswich Town striker David McGoldrick, and ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who all went on to feature for the Steel City outfit in the top flight.

Those additions provided the Blades with all the more reason to be grateful for the fact that Man City chose to release Brooks, setting him on the path to Bramall Lane.