It has become a millstone around their neck, a monkey on their back and goodness knows what else those of a Sheffield United persuasion care to call it.

Aiming for an immediate return to the top-flight after last season’s relegation, Chris Wilder’s side beat City 3-0 in the play-off semifinal second leg at Bramall Lane.

The Blades put the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion behind them with a thumping win to secure a place in the Championship play-off final