How Sheffield United can get Rhian Brewster firing and what their record signing must also do himself

It wasn’t just the fact the centre-forward was arriving from Liverpool which heightened the levels of expectation. Or the size of the fee which, despite being unremarkable by Premier League standards, still made him the most expensive purchase in his new club’s history.

Rather, the timing of the move was responsible for increasing the buzz created by Brewster’s arrival. It changed people’s perceptions of him too as, despite repeated warnings from Chris Wilder that he was “one for the future”, supporters and journalists alike framed his £23.5m transfer as a move by United to immediately address the goal scoring problems which were threatening to undermine their push for top-flight survival.

Four months and 20 appearances later, Brewster is still searching for his first for Wilder’s side since leaving Anfield. Although the United manager has done his best to try and ease the pressure on the youngster, his failure to find the back of the net at least once will be a concern for both coaching staff and the player alike. But Wilder remains convinced that, when one arrives, a flurry will follow. Indeed, speaking ahead of Monday’s visit to West Ham, he revealed his view of Brewster as a “natural finisher” remains unchanged.

“It’s a cut throat business we’re in,” Wilder told The Star earlier this week, after watching the striker draw another blank during United’s FA Cup victory over Bristol City. “It’s a business where everyone makes instant assumptions and reaches opinions on players straight away.

“Listen, it’s a tough period for Rhian. Of course it is. But I know he’s a goalscorer. The lads know he’s a goalscorer and his old manager (Jurgen Klopp) called him one too. I don’t see things different now.”

Wilder’s comments on Brewster’s progress - or lack of it - in South Yorkshire suggest he believes the England under-21 international is struggling, not because he lacks the ability to convert chances, but because too few are coming his way. Aged 20, Brewster has enjoyed only 22 shots on goal since leaving Anfield, where he spent five seasons after being lured to the North-West following a spell with Chelsea. The fact only six of those attempts have been on target confirms the overwhelming majority of those have been speculative efforts rather than gilt-edged openings. It is difficult to remember many clear cut opportunities Brewster has missed since being unveiled in October.

An analysis of his performances during a spell on loan at Swansea City last season, where he scored 11 times in 22 outings, provides some clues as to why. Only once there did Brewster fail to muster at least one attempt on goal, something which has happened in exactly half of his matches for United so far, while he also spent much more time in and around the six yard box after establishing a productive partnership with fellow loanee Conor Gallagher - now with West Bromwich Albion.

The obvious step United could take to solve the Brewster conundrum is trying to recruit Gallagher from Chelsea. But with most of his efforts for Steve Cooper’s side coming via first time strikes, United’s own midfielders can help out by providing him with more tailor-made service.

However, Brewster must also adapt aspects of his own game in order to become more effective at the highest level; where the increased athleticism and awareness of defenders means they squeeze space better. United can do more to help Brewster. But he must also help himself, resisting the temptation to try and force the issue by drifting deep or into wide positions. A symptom of his desire to do well, Brewster’s eagerness to make something happen is probably having the opposite effect.

Wilder, whose policy of rotating his attackers also presents a challenge for anyone attempting to understand the complexities of his take on the 3-5-2 formation, believes captain Billy Sharp will be a source of good advice for his inexperienced colleague over the coming weeks. The most prolific marksman in England’s leading four divisions this century, Sharp has built his reputation on sniffing out openings inside the opposition box. But Oli McBurnie and David McGoldrick, who have both endured long barren spells for United, might be better equipped to help Brewster overcome the psychological challenges he faces.

“Rhi will be getting plenty of help from the skipper,” Wilder said. “Didzy and Oli Mac as well, because of what they’re like as people as well as footballers. They’ll be dragging him through and helping him. You’ll see the reaction of Rhi and everyone else when he gets one.”

Born less than a half an hour’s drive away from the London Stadium in Chadwell Heath, the meeting with David Moyes’ men would be the perfect moment for Brewster to open his United account.

“He’s an east London boy,” Wilder noted. “He’s a tough, strong lad. What doesn’t kill him will only make him even stronger.”

With United preparing for the fixture 12 points adrift of safety, despite winning six of their last nine matches in all competitions, Brewster was also recruited with the Championship in mind. Having publicly stated that survival was always his squad’s main objective this term, Wilder’s recruitment policy has been tailored to ensure - if relegation is confirmed - it is well equipped to bounce straight back.

“Our situation hasn’t changed and Rhian was one of the best players in the Championship last year,” Wilder said, noting how Liverpool were so convinced by his potential they insisted on inserting a buy back clause into the deal which took Brewster to United. “It wasn’t just us in for him. There were lots of others as well. He’s got a big part to play now and going forward.”

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