As they prepare for battle with Chelsea this weekend, how Sheffield United and Rhian Brewster can bring the best out of one another

But circumstances dictate that manager Chris Wilder does not have the luxury of asking the 20-year-old, who became the club’s record signing when arrived from Liverpool last month, to complete a comprehensive apprenticeship before considering him for the role of Bramall Lane’s first choice striker.

Instead, as United prepare for Saturday’s visit to Chelsea without a win in seven and languishing towards the foot of the table, Brewster has been asked to learn on the job - required to fathom out most of the things he would usually learn on the training ground in the heat of Premier League battle. With his first two starts for Wilder’s side coming against his former employers and Manchester City, it is fair to say Brewster has experienced a baptism of fire since completing a £23.5m move to South Yorkshire five weeks ago.

Although he has shown flashes of the talent which promoted Jurgen Klopp to describe him as a “natural finisher” before reluctantly sanctioning his release - deciding the presence of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane meant opportunities would be limited for even this “coach’s dream” if he remained at Anfield - Brewster travels to Stamford Bridge having yet to truly grab a game by the scruff of the neck.

But after monitoring his progress for around a season and a half before persuading United’s board of directors to make such a significant investment, Wilder is convinced the youngster will not only blossom soon but also increase United’s survival changes in the process.

“Does he give us what we were missing last year? Yes, that’s the answer to that one,” Wilder said. “He’s a box player, he can score and he brings something different to the table to what we’ve already got. Rhi’s willing to learn, in fact he’s desperate to learn, you can see that around the place already. So he’s only going to keep on getting better and better.”

Brewster has made three appearances since joining United, starting their meetings with both Klopp’s side and Pep Guardiola’s team after being introduced as a second-half substitute during the draw with Fulham. It is still far too early to make definitive judgements - Liverpool are so convinced he will eventually blossom, they insisted on inserting a buy-back clause into the deal which took him across the Pennines - but on the evidence of his contribution so far, Brewster is clearly adjusting to both United’s tactics and the psychological demands of his new role.

With the contest against Fulham having become so stretched by the time he entered the fray it was impossible to determine either team’s game plan, the youngster was effectively left to fend for himself during the closing 25 minutes of that fixture. Wilder admitted Brewster was “always” going to “find it strange” facing Liverpool so soon after leaving, but he struggled to make an impression on City last weekend. The same charge, however, could be levelled at many of his new colleagues.

“Rhi suits our play,” Wilder explained. “He’s a young player who can improve and grow with us, which is something we’ve done right the way through - ever since coming in.

“But he’s a good player now, with a lot of ability. You can see that every single day on the training ground.”

Although Brewster must adapt to United, United must also do everything within their own power to ensure the weapons with his armoury - pace and and finishing - are given the opportunity to inflict maximum damage on enemy defences. Despite being yet to score, only one clear cut opening has come Brewster’s way over the past three matches - midway through the second-half of the 1-0 defeat by City, after Kyle Walker had fired Guardiola’s men in front. Flagged offside as he wheeled off the shoulder of his marker, it came from a clipped ball over the top rather than a piece of patient build-up play. This was a tactic Conor Gallagher, his old team mate at Swansea City, frequently employed during their time together at the Liberty Stadium. Brewster also thrives on crosses, with nearly half of his 11 goals in South Wales coming from first time shots. Wilder is right to suggest United’s recent results have not always reflected the quality of their performances. But even his squad’s most loyal supporters would be forced to admit the choice or delivery of their final balls this term has been poor.

United’s decision to employ Sander Berge in a more roving midfield role, similar to the one Gallagher was handed at Swansea, might also represent an attempt to provide Brewster with a platform to flourish.

“Looking around, Rhi doesn’t feel he’s made a poor decision by coming here,” Wilder insisted. “He feels he’s found a home and that’s because we’re a very inclusive and tight knit group. You always have to give people time to adapt and settle, no matter what.”

Unfortunately, time is not something United have in abundance as they attempt to avoid being cut adrift towards the foot of the rankings. It is for that reason - and with Brewster clearly being identified as the solution to United’s long-standing problems in front of goal - why Wilder might be tempted to tweak the strategy which has seen him deliver two promotions since being appointed in May 2016. Rather than relying so heavily on creating overloads down the flanks, adopting a slightly more direct approach might benefit Brewster, who quickly emerged as Wilder’s number one target of the summer transfer window.

“We didn’t have an extensive list,” he admitted. “We knew we wanted Rhi; price, contract situation - everything comes into it really. During negotiations, he didn’t show any interest in things that aren’t to do with football.”

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