That's the view of central defender Matt Kilgallon as the Blades' pre-season programme starts to move up through the gears.

"One thing's for sure - we are going to be fit next season in view of the pre-season work we've done so far," said the 24-year-old who established himself last season at the heart of United's defence.

"We've been running for fun. The gaffer has been putting us through it but we all know it's for the best and will benefit us."

Kilgallon has been putting in extra work himself on his own strength and fitness.

"I've always been tall and was just starting to grow into that figure," he said.

"But I'm now starting to fill out more and mature.

"I'm starting to become a centre-half with a centre- half's body instead of being a tall, skinny thing," he said.

"It's involved working on the upper body and hopefully it will help me.

"Sometimes people overlook that aspect of having upper body strength, but I'm going to need that because there are some big strikers in this division.

"It's just another bit of my game where I can improve and, hopefully, it will help make me a better player."

He says he hopes United can take their finishing form of last season into the forthcoming campaign.

"We had a good finish and we want to take the solidity and togetherness we built up, the spirit and playing for each other, into the new season," he says.

"Let's see if we can pick up where we left off."

Meanwhile, former Blades boss Neil Warnock has withdrawn a two-year contract offer to Crystal Palace's Clinton Morrison after the striker delayed making a decision.

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