Aaron Ramsdale reveals the thing that's affected his performances for Sheffield United this season ahead of Man Utd trip

The England U21 goalkeeper returned to Bramall Lane in the summer from AFC Bournemouth, but has kept only one clean sheet in his 19 Premier League games in a United shirt so far this season with the Blades struggling at the bottom of the table.

Ramsdale has attracted criticism on social media which has often crossed the line to abuse and ridicule.

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But the goalkeeper admits he tries not to let that get him down as he prepares for upcoming clashes against Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea.

"We've been playing with no crowds since we were 10 years old and under-23s games and international games away from home have little crowds," Ramsdale said.

"I definitely miss the crowd and it's something I feed off, I believe I play better with crowds and believe it's affected me a little bit not having fans.

"But it's the same for everyone, I think some people are relishing it and some would have wanted them back far sooner.

"For me, hopefully performances can get a little bit better without fans and when they return, it'll be a great boost for me.

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"I've always had a big connection with fans and like to celebrate them, show my emotion and passion. But we'll go to Old Trafford without 70,000 cheering them on, so it can be a positive. I prefer them to be there so I can bounce off them, and without them it's not really the same."

Ramsdale says that he tries not to let criticism on social media affect him.

"You take the good with the bad," he added.

"I have [social media] for my friends as a way to communicate with my friends, with funny memes and videos, but also a chance to speak to fans and reply to people wanting to win signed shirts and that kind of stuff.

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"I don't read too much when it's going good or bad. If you go searching your name, you'll find things you don't like. That's life, you can't make everyone like you or think you're a good 'keeper.

"People before have said David De Gea isn't good enough, that's how it goes. Social media can go one of two ways, sometimes it can step over the line and it's how you deal with it. I don't read the good stuff or the bad, it's there for me and my mates.

"People have their opinions, everyone's entitled to them and that's from the staff here to pundits that you'll read about or see on TV, it doesn't really affect me too much.

"The staff here are straight talkers, if I make a mistake I'm told, we draw a line under it. There's no feeling sorry for myself, I can perform better but I've got to turn it around."

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