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Sheffield United: Blades one of the big boys, says Boro boss
Sheffield United have been paid a glowing compliment by the manager of next season's opening-day opponents Middlesbrough.
The Blades will visit the Riverside on August 8 to take on Gareth Southgate's relegated Boro – one of the bookies' favourites for promotion next term.
However, Southgate says that it is to sides like United that Boro must compare.
"Sheffield United are a big club who had an outstanding season last time," he said.
"They are one of several big clubs in this league that we have to match.
"It highlights the fact that we will have some very difficult games. The Championship is a very tough competition."
Meanwhile, an offer from Everton for highly-rated full-back Kyle Naughton was thought to have been rejected by the Blades this week.
The FA Cup finalists are believed to have made a bid of 3.5m, rising to a possible 5m, for the 20-year-old, but the Blades were unwilling to do business, according to sources at the Barclays Premier League club.
It is not yet clear whether the Merseysiders intend to increase their offer for a player who has attracted interest from a string of top-flight managers this summer.
Sheffield-born Naughton is a product of United's academy and got his first taste of senior action during a 19-game spell with Gretna in 2007-08.
He made a major breakthrough at Bramall Lane last season when he appeared 43 times in the Coca-Cola Championship as the Blades eventually lost to Burnley in the play-off final at Wembley.
Despite the eventual heartbreak, Naughton emerged as a rising star, able to play on either flank although most comfortable at right-back.
Last season also saw the defender make his debut for England under-21s, but he was not picked for the current European Championships in Sweden.
Blades boss Kevin Blackwell said this week: "We don't want anyone to leave.
"We are ready to do business with those we have put on the transfer list but that's all."
The Blades – drawn at home to Port Vale in the first round of the Carling Cup – have also confirmed that they will play games in Malta and Hungary as part of their pre-season plans plus four confirmed fixtures on home soil.
United will travel to Malta on Tuesday, July 7 to play a Select XI on the Friday before flying home the following day.
Blackwell's side will visit Sheffield FC on Tuesday, July 14 before the squad fly out to Hungary on July 16, facing Ferencvaros on Saturday, July 18.
After returning home on Sunday, the Blades have friendlies at Chesterfield, Bury and Lincoln City within the next week.
United are also set to confirm another friendly on August 1 – the final Saturday before the season starts.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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