'I've had Sheffield United to GO DOWN' - former Leeds United defender says Whites have 'more quality' than Blades

The Blades, who flirted with Europe last season after being promoted from the Championship ahead of Leeds and eventually finished ninth, have lost their two opening games of the season, and sit three whole points behind Marcelo Bielsa's side in the formative table.

"Sheffield United fans won’t like me for saying this," Matteo wrote in his Yorkshire Evening Post column, "but I had them to go down this season before we saw any games.

"I just felt they might struggle to replicate what they did last year and, in the first few games, they’ve found that.

"They’ve been brilliant since they came up, you can’t criticise the job they’ve done, they play the right way and they put their all in.

"But I think this is a real chance for Leeds to get at them.

"United have lost their first two league games and might just be lacking a little in confidence, whereas Leeds should be full of confidence.

"They need to really get about them from the start to get another result and keep the momentum going after a good win against Fulham.

"You know that Chris Wilder’s Blades will get stuck in and have a right good go but so will Leeds.

"Both of these teams are like that.

"I just think we have more quality on the ball."

Leeds lost their opening game of the season 4-3, to the champions Liverpool, before beating fellow promoted side Fulham by the same scoreline.

"If we keep the ball as well as we did against Liverpool, when we shaded possession against the champions, I think we’ll win the game on Sunday at Bramall Lane," Matteo added.

"And what a start that would be to life in the Premier League."

Spanish defender Diego Llorente could make his debut for Leeds against United, after a fee of around £20m was agreed with La Liga club Real Sociedad.

Ethan Ampadu could make his full Premier League debut for the Blades in place of the suspended John Egan, who was sent off at Aston Villa on Monday.

Thank you for reading this article, one of dozens we publish every single day to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative coverage of YOUR club. This depth of Blades coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to from the football team at The Star, please consider taking out a subscription to our new discounted sports-only package. You'll find all the details HERE. Your support is much appreciated. Chris Holt, Football Editor