'I can honestly see them getting out of it' - what the pundits said about Sheffield United's win over Man Utd

That was the question Match of the Day host Gary Lineker posed of studio guests Dion Dublin and Martin Keown about Sheffield United’s chances of preserving their Premier League status after their shock 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford last night.

Goals from Kean Bryan and Oliver Burke, which sandwiched an effort by former Blade Harry Maguire, secured an unlikely win for Chris Wilder’s side as they chip away at the huge chasm between themselves and safety.

The Blades boss hailed his side’s performance as ‘special’ and spoke of the need for his players to build on last night’s win if they are to stay in the top flight.

"We have to play close to near perfect to get results and if you make mistakes, then you get punished,” said Wilder.

"It's a brutal league and you have to be at your best every week. And sometimes it's difficult to do that.

"Tonight we were good, we were brave in possession when we had to be and we created some little half-chances. You have to take those big moments and we took two, to give us a result.”

But what dd the pundits make of the win . . . and do they believe United can now stay up?

Let’s take a look at what they’ve been saying.

Ally McCoist, former Rangers striker and talkSPORT Breakfast Show co-presenter

“They have got to believe. I was asked what the score would be and I said 3-0 to (Manchester) United, so fair play to Sheffield United.

"They were organised, worked their socks off. Burke came off the pitch and looked a handful – and he is a handful.

"They started with Billy Sharp. I think Billy Sharp is the best finisher (at United), but they’ve got McGoldrick, McBurnie and Burke.

"They’re excellent players and you know exactly what you’re getting. They’re solid and will pose defenders problems but probably could do with scoring a few more goals.

"But what a result that is. It was incredible and what about Jagielka?

"I thought he was tremendous from what I saw last night. It was a brilliant performance. It was a great result and you’ve got to be delighted for Chris Wilder.

"They never give up. There’s only one game I can remember where Chris said he was disappointed in his team and it might have been down at Southampton if my memory serves me correctly, because generally speaking the results have been poor but you know you’re in a game with Sheffield United and that’s why they’ve always got a chance.

"Will they stay up? No, I can’t see it as good as the result was last night.”

Mark Bosnich, ex-Manchester United and Aston Villa goalkeeper and talkSPORT guest

“I thought (Manchester United) underestimated Sheffield United a little bit and I thought they had that in the vision that I saw. You could tell they had that little bit of attitude and that it was just going to happen.

"But you’ve got to give credit to Sheffield United as well. They came to Old Trafford with a plan and they hurt Manchester United in a way that I thought, especially from set plays. You’ve got to give them a lot credit. You’ve got to give the opposition credit and Sheffield United played really well.”

Lianne Sanderson, former England forward and guest on Sky Sports’ The Football Show

“I’m glad they didn’t get rid of Chris Wilder. He did a fantastic job with them last year and I think against Manchester United they deserved that result last night. I don’t think they’ve been hard done by, I just don’t think they’ve not had enough in their locker.

"They’ve not been scoring enough goals and I don’t think they’ve been playing well enough to win games – I don’t think they have been hard done by – but it’s never too little too late.”

Izzy Christiansen, Everton and England midfielder and guest on BBC podcast Football Daily

"I look back at the weekend and they beat Plymouth 2-1 in the FA Cup and you think those Cup games in between Premier League fixtures can be used as a catalyst to reignite a bit of form.

"I’m by no means saying Sheffield United have hit a bit of form again – they’ve just beaten (Manchester) United at Old Trafford – (but) I think it’s one step at a time.

"I’m looking at the game and I’m looking at the players – there were last ditched tackles, they were nicking the ball and they were first to everything tonight.

"I don't know if that was Man United being lazy and a little bit lacklustre and perhaps not having the energy, but for me Sheffield United wanted it more and that’s why they got the result.”

Glenn Murray, Brighton & Hove Albion striker and guest on BBC podcast Football Daily

"Whether you get beat, win, draw or whatever, you’ve just got let it go. Come Monday morning you’ve got to let it go and get on and focus on the next fixture, which is a cliche

"Obviously Sheffield United have done that and they believe in what the manager is telling them and it’s taken a while and a lot of people have questioned them but they’ve shown their togetherness again – and I can honestly see them getting out of it.”

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