Burnley-born Sheffield United star fires warning to boyhood club ahead of crunch promotion clash

Norwood grew up a stone's throw away from Turf Moor and had a season ticket to watch his boyhood team, when his commitments with Manchester United's youth academy allowed.

He still keeps a close eye on their results, but will put his allegiances aside this weekend when Vincent Kompany's league leaders travel to Bramall Lane hoping to build on their dramatic stoppage-time victory over Rotherham United on Wednesday evening.

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United, of course, had a positive midweek result of their own as they won away at Bristol City to move back up to third - with boss Paul Heckingbottom making no attempt to downplay the game's significance ahead of the 12.30pm kick-off.

"I didn't watch too many games as a youngster," Norwood admitted. "I went into the academy at Man United at six years old and had weekends taken away from me, but in my spare time I went to watch Burnley. I had a season ticket for a couple of years but my own career meant I didn't get much chance to go and see them.

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"I've watched a few games this year and all my friends are huge Burnley fans and letting me know how well they're doing this season."

"They're buzzing," Norwood added. "They've been used to a certain style of football under the old manager [Sean Dyche] and for them it's exciting. The manager has gone in there and brought in players and there's a real sense of excitement and they feel they can achieve good things."

Asked if he believes that any club that finishes above the Clarets will secure Premier League football this season, Norwood admitted: "I'd agree with that. If you finish above Burnley you'll have a good opportunity of going up. We know what to expect, they're a good side but so are we. We don't bow to anyone and they're coming to our home. So we've got to look to impose ourselves on them."

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