Sheffield United striker Lys Mousset receives an ultimatum ahead of possible FA Cup return

Mousset could feature in tomorrow’s fifth round tie against Bristol City after returning to training earlier this week, having recovered from a minor injury sustained following last month’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City.

Despite being regarded by coaching staff as one of the most naturally gifted members of United’s squad, the Frenchman has tested both their faith and patience alike in recent months; making headlines for all the wrong reasons following a series of well-documented episodes in his personal life.

Although Wilder is clearly fond of Mousset, describing him as a “really nice lad who we all think a lot of” earlier this term, the United manager has become increasingly exasperated by what many inside Bramall Lane feel is a lack of professionalism on the part of a player who cost £10m when he arrived from AFC Bournemouth a year-and-a-half ago.

That has culminated in Wilder issuing a thinly veiled ultimatum; telling Mousset he risks drifting into obscurity unless he changes his approach away from the training ground.

“There’s two parts to Lys,” Wilder said, acknowledging Mousset has also suffered from bad luck at times. “There’s our part as a club in terms of getting to the bottom of the issues and there has to be a really big effort from the player, to push and participate.

“We’re not chucking him under the bus. He knows how we view him and that we like him. But Lys needs a big second half of the season. I want it to happen but he has got to want it to happen as well.

“There are things that he can do better.”

If Mousset does face City, it will be only his eighth appearance in a United jersey since damaging a toe during a pre-season friendly against Preston North End. Handed a rare start when Wilder's side travelled to Bristol Rovers in the third round, he was substituted during the second-half with an ankle complaint. A week earlier, South Yorkshire Police launched an investigation into a crash involving his Lamborghini sports car, although it remains unclear if Mousset was driving at the time.

“There’s things that have gone on that I’m disappointed about and that Lys is disappointed about,” Wilder continued. “He knows that, he’s been told and hopefully he’s taken it on board because he’s got real talent and we want him to make the most of it.”

Enda Stevens, the United wing-back, could also feature against Rovers’ neighbours after resuming training following a muscle problem. Billy Sharp and David McGoldrick are vying for places in attack alongside Mousset after beginning Sunday’s defeat by Chelsea on the bench. That result saw United remain at the bottom of the Premier League table, 12 points adrift of 17th place. City are 10th in the Championship, six points outside of the play-off positions.

“Enda has trained and Lys has trained,” Wilder confirmed. “We’re hopeful they will both be involved.

“It goes without saying we want all of our major actors to be involved.”

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