Sheffield United defender hopes new boss will give his Bramall Lane career a boost

Max Lowe hopes Slavisa Jokanovic’s appointment as Sheffield United manager sees him granted more first team opportunities next season, after making only eight Premier League appearances last term.
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The former Derby County defender, who moved to Bramall Lane as part of the deal which also brought Jayden Bogle to South Yorkshire, is known to have grown frustrated by his lack of game time as after leaving Pride Park.

With United preparing to return to the Championship following two years as a top-flight club, Lowe is aiming to become a regular starter under Jokanovic who officially takes charge on Thursday. The Serb, who has previously won promotion with both Watford and Fulham, has told Bramall Lane’s first team squad that although he plans to retain much of the system devised by his predecessor Chris Wilder performances during this summer’s warm-up programme, not past achievements, will decide his starting eleven for the opening match of the new campaign.

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Although Bogle overcame a slow start to his career with United before producing a series of impressive displays towards the end of Chris Wilder’s reign, Lowe’s fortunes went in the opposite direction. The last of his seven league starts came during February’s defeat by Chelsea and, having also been selected for the FA Cup win over Bristol City three days later, he failed to feature on the pitch again in a competitive fixture.

Despite having no issue with Wilder - who was responsible for signing him in the first place - Lowe and his representatives view Jokanovic’s arrival as a chance to start afresh. Particularly as the 52-year-old told United’s hierarchy he is minded to retain the 3-5-3 system Lowe spent the best part of 10 months trying to master.

Wilder described Lowe and Bogle as heirs apparent to Enda Stevens and George Baldock after persuading United to pay £5m for the pair last summer.

Bogle was recently linked with a move to Norwich City but officials at Carrow Road have denied any interest in the youngster.

Like Bogle, Lowe also progressed through Derby’s youth system before completing spells on loan with Shrewsbury Town and Aberdeen.