David McGoldrick says Sheffield United's victory over Burnley can give Blades something to build on next season

McGoldrick, United’s top scorer and newly-crowned players’ player of the year, scored a goal fit to win any game, curling home from around 25 yards out after Burnley’s defenders showed no intention of closing him down.

The occasion was made all the more sweeter by the return of a limited amount of supporters to Bramall Lane, with McGoldrick’s name being sung throughout and after the game ahead of next season’s return to the Championship.

And the striker admitted: “The main aim was to get a victory and finish off the season in some kind of high spirits.

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“It's been a tough season for us all, and to get some fans today and get the victory at home is a plus that we're going to go positive into pre-season when we meet back up.”

McGoldrick’s stunner – he also won the club’s goal of the season award for a curling effort on his left foot, away at Arsenal – came a few days after he missed a good chance away at Newcastle, in a 1-0 Blades defeat.

The striker held his hands up after that game and admitted yesterday: “A goal's a goal but I'm still upset I didn't score that one at Newcastle. I scored from 25 yards out but I couldn't score from 10!

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“It's a crazy one, and it's the story of my career. But it's good to get a goal at Bramall Lane again, I haven't celebrated a goal for a while because there's been no fans and it was great to get a little cheer.

“They made a lot of noise today, and it was great to hear them signing my name. It's a real honour, as I've always said.”

McGoldrick’s goal against Burnley was also his first in the Premier League in front of United fans. He didn’t get off the mark in the top-flight until the 3-0 win over Chelsea in July, and finished the current season with nine in all competitions.

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