So with that in mind, Sheffield United writer Danny Hall has chosen what he feels is now the Blades strongest starting XI when everyone – bar long-term injury vitim Jack O’Connell is fit and available.
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![United's No.1 without question. Wes Foderingham was shaky at times in pre-season, Simon Moore is injured and Michael Verrips unproven.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmVhN2JlYjkzLWRkNzItNDdjYS1hODA0LTM3MGE2ZTI5ZTJhODphYjEyOWU4Ni0wMGNmLTRmNDktYmU4ZS00YWM4OGE4MTI1YWE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
1. Aaron Ramsdale
United's No.1 without question. Wes Foderingham was shaky at times in pre-season, Simon Moore is injured and Michael Verrips unproven. Photo: Simon Bellis
![Pushed heavily by Jayden Bogle, Baldock has credit in the bank and also a season of Premier League experience in his favour.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmNmNjhkYTYwLWJiMDEtNDM5Yy05Yjk4LTI0NWQ5Y2IwOWY5NTo5MWViMTJmZC00Njk1LTQyMzYtODhmNi01OTBlOTE0ZmE4YWI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
2. George Baldock
Pushed heavily by Jayden Bogle, Baldock has credit in the bank and also a season of Premier League experience in his favour. Photo: Simon Bellis
![A no-brainer. No-one else in United's squad, or possibly the league as a whole, is capable of playing Basham's role better than the man himself](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjA4YzA4Y2VlLWJkZmYtNDYwOS1hOTU0LWRkOWRhMDhmNmQ0YTo0YTliMTlmYS0yZmJjLTQyMjgtYjllYS1kYzY1M2JlNGZmNjc=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
3. Chris Basham
A no-brainer. No-one else in United's squad, or possibly the league as a whole, is capable of playing Basham's role better than the man himself Photo: Simon Bellis
![Ethan Ampadu hasn't put a foot wrong when he's had to deputise but, like Baldock, Egan is the man in possession of the shirt and, for me, plays when he's available](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjY2YTZhZDAxLWQwNzktNDdkZi04MTI5LWZiMDA2NGI5NzYxNTpkNjgzMTlmZS0yMzZjLTQyZGMtYjk4Mi0wNjlmMGNmMmNhYzY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
4. John Egan
Ethan Ampadu hasn't put a foot wrong when he's had to deputise but, like Baldock, Egan is the man in possession of the shirt and, for me, plays when he's available Photo: Simon Bellis