Sheffield United have six contracts they need to sort out sooner rather than later, and manager Chris Wilder has been quite open about it: in each case, the players are in charge of their own destiny.

Free agents Jairo Riedewald and Patrick Bamford only signed until January, and Wilder has already impressed on the board the importance of keeping both experienced figures.

But he also has an eye on those coming into the last 18 months of their contracts, and has asked the hierarchy to try to press on with new deals for Gustavo Hamer and Tyrese Campbell. If either decline, the Blades have to decide whether to sell this summer rather than risk losing them for nothing the next.

And for academy-produced youngsters Andre Brooks and Femi Seriki, it is about impressing enough to extend their stays beyond 2027.

"Regardless of when your contract's up, regardless of who the manager is, you just have your own standards and your own personal ambition and drive," said Wilder.

"The successful ones have that and go onto bigger and better things, whether it's with us, playing consistently as part of a team that is on the move, or he a move to the big league."

On the future of Brooks, who has recently re-established himself in the side, his manager said: "He decides, not me. I don't decide.

"I know what the talent is, but he's got to bring it all together. I have faith in him, I have belief in him as a player.

IN THE DRIVING SEAT: Gustavo Hamer can choose whether to sign a new Sheffield United contract or run his deal down (Image: Andrew Yates / Sportimage)

placeholder image — IN THE DRIVING SEAT: Gustavo Hamer can choose whether to sign a new Sheffield United contract or run his deal down (Image: Andrew Yates / Sportimage)

“I love to see the boys from the academy coming through.

"Femi's a Manchester boy, but he feels a Sheffield boy.

"Brooks is a local boy I know a lot about, but he decides (his future). He has that opportunity, every time.

"You can count yourself as a player when you've played 150, 200 games. He's way short of that at the moment. He has to add those seasons up and show those consistent levels if he's going to be a top player.

POINT TO PROVE: Andre Brooks (Image: Simon Bellis / Sportimage)

"But he's got all the attributes. He's got ability, he's got drive, he's got purpose.

"We have to see if there's young players out there that we can buy and develop and then go down that road but I've always said the biggest prize is £150m (for being in the Premier League)."

Ben Mee, Tom and Adam Davies are out of contract this year. The Blades have the option to extend Danny Ings' deal by a further year, and to buy loanee Djibril Soumare.