Sheffield United’s players have been left in the dark over their futures, with just TWO members of the squad under contract and the club yet to inform the stars of their wages ahead of the new season

Several members of Sheffield United’s women’s squad have not been told whether they are wanted for next season, despite the club set to begin pre-season training today.

Mail Sport understands that only two members of the squad are still under contract, with several players’ contracts expiring at the end of the last campaign.

It is understood that players currently out of contract need to hear whether they are being retained or are free to find new clubs.

When contacted by Mail Sport, Sheffield United said they had taken the decision to delay the start of pre-season due to “ongoing operational challenges”, with the intention of kicking off next week.

Sources have told Mail Sport that some players have been told they are wanted but have not received contracts, while others have had no direct contact from the club since April.

Several Sheffield United players have not been told if they are wanted by the club for next season

Pre-season is set to begin at the club today but the players are in the dark over their futures

It is also understood that the players have not been given an idea of ​​what their wages could be for next season, if they are kept, with many facing concerns about mortgage payments and bills.

Sheffield United are yet to appoint a new permanent manager after Jonathan Morgan was sacked in February for having a relationship with a player while Leicester manager.

Sheffield United’s players endured an extremely difficult and emotional season last season.

Club vice-captain Maddy Cusack took her own life last September, with head coach Morgan later investigated by the club after the family made a formal complaint about his alleged behavior towards their daughter.

A third-party investigation, conducted on behalf of the Blades, found no evidence of wrongdoing and cleared Morgan to return to work in December.

Mail Sport revealed in January that the Football Association had decided to open its own investigation into the circumstances of Cusack’s death. That investigation remains ongoing.

Morgan was sacked in February, with Sheffield United saying his position had become “untenable” after new information emerged about his behavior before he arrived at Bramall Lane.

Luke Turner has been in interim charge since Morgan’s sacking, but a permanent boss has yet to be appointed.

The club are still without a permanent manager after sacking Jonathan Morgan (pictured) in February

Last season was a difficult and emotional one for the Blades after vice-captain Maddy Cusack (pictured) took her own life in September

Tributes were paid to Cusack after her death in the early weeks of the season

The news of uncertainty from the Blades comes after Mail Sport revealed that Blackburn Rovers plan to pay their players just £9,000 a year for next season.

The club are understood to have a player budget of £100,000 and will pay their squad the UK minimum wage, which is £11.44 for those aged 21 and over.

It is understood the players will operate on 16-hour-a-week contracts, with training taking place from Wednesday to Saturday, with matches on Sundays.

Last week, Reading withdrew their women’s team from the Championship due to financial pressures within the club.

There were fears that the club would be scrapped altogether, but instead they will play in the fifth tier next season.

The Football Association will hand over the management of the top two tiers of women’s football to a new company (NewCo) this season.

The Women’s Championship license has not yet been approved for the 2024-25 campaign, but there are a number of proposed changes.

Blackburn’s players are set to receive just the UK minimum wage next season

Reading owner Dai Yongge (right) has withdrawn the club’s women’s team from the Championship

This includes increased contact hours and a minimum number of contracted players per club, but this does not constitute a full-time set-up.

Licensing requirements are professional football’s minimum standards and are formulated with clubs to ensure players are supported and protected, with their welfare on and off the pitch being the highest priority.

As the licensing requirements are not yet approved, no financial information has been provided from the clubs, but clubs are legislated to pay players the national minimum wage.

When the license for 2024-25 is confirmed, the league will work with clubs on their individual models to meet the requirements accordingly.