[4] With United set to play in the newly formed Football League Second Division the club looked to strengthen its squad, as a number of fringe players departed Bramall Lane.

Squad players William Getliff and W. Nesbitt were not retained,[5][6] and long-serving defender Ned Stringer retired from playing to take up a scouting post with the club.

[7] Billy Bairstow was allowed to join local side Penistone,[8] while Thomas Smith's brief stay with the club came to an end as he was signed by Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley.

[10] By July United had added defender William Mellor,[11] and signed striker Arthur McCabe from nearby Rotherham Town on a free transfer.

With the new season about to start, United kicked off their fixture list with a show-piece friendly game against established Scottish side Celtic, beating their visitors 1–0 courtesy of a Harry Hammond goal.