Sheffield United: David McGoldrick reveals what is driving him on to become a big hit at Bramall Lane in the Championship next season

Despite making nearly 400 career appearances and being capped by the Republic of Ireland, David McGoldrick still feels compelled to prove the doubters wrong following his transfer to Sheffield United.It is a desire, after a series of fitness issues hastened the 30-year-old's departure from Ipswich Town, Chris Wilder hopes to exploit when the new Championship season begins early next month.McGoldrick agreed a 12 month contract with United before Tuesday's friendly with Internazionale and, after scoring his first goal for the club during an entertaining 1-1 draw, provided a glimpse into the mindset its manager is convinced makes him a shrewd acquisition. "I've got something to prove now because I know people are doubting me," McGoldrick admitted. "I know they'll be looking at me and wondering, because of my age and whatever, if I can still do it. But I've got a lot of legs left in me yet and I'm chomping at the bit."McGoldrick became an instant hit with United after joining them on trial last week, impressing against Bradford City and Mansfield Town before securing terms at Bramall Lane. But many supporters, mindful of the niggling injuries which hampered his final year at Portman Road, expressed doubts about the wisdom of the decision to bring him on board. Others, Wilder has acknowledged, felt distinctly underwhelmed by the arrival of a free agent rather than a multi-million pound signing. Even though, as his recent performances have demonstrated, a player's price tag does not always reflect their ability.For his part, McGoldrick believes moving to Bramall Lane can reinvigorate a career which, by his own admission, had begun to drift. Not least, Wilder and McCarthy have both suggested, because of the gruelling commute between Suffolk and his home in Nottingham."Sometimes you need a change," McGoldrick said. "You can become a little bit stale. I had some really good years at Ipswich but, when you've been something for such a long time, sometimes its inevitable you probably do get a little bit stale.""It's a massive weight off my shoulders," he added, "Getting closer to home. I'm a proud dad and I want to be there with my family and my kids so I can be with them and watch them while they're growing up. I can live at home now; this is only 30 or 45 minutes or away. I want to stay here for as long as I can because it's a big club and I love the way the manager sets things up."Suspicions McGoldrick and United are perfectly suited were confirmed by the build-up to his strike against the 18-time Serie A champions. Enda Stevens and John Fleck worked the ball forward before, peeling away from his marker, he clipped it over the advancing Samir Handanović after reading the Scot's intentions. Such telepathy is usually born from hours of work on the training ground. But McGoldrick, who is set to make his next appearance during tomorrow's visit to Doncaster Rovers, has spent less than a fortnight at the Steelphalt Academy."I like to get the ball to feet," he said. "I already know quite a few of the lads here so that's good. I know Stears (Richard Stearman) from Ipswich and Leon (Clarke) and Kieron (Freeman) from two of my other old clubs, Coventry City and Nottingham Forest. I've played against most of the others at one time or another so I've got some understanding about them too. There's lots of good players here and, to be honest, good players are always easy to play with because they give you so many options."