What Manchester City's story teaches Sheffield United

It was a gentle line of questioning. A chance, given that three years ago they were preparing to face Northampton, to discuss the remarkable and rapid progress Sheffield United have made.
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, ahead of his team's visit to Manchester City: Simon Bellis/SportimageChris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, ahead of his team's visit to Manchester City: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, ahead of his team's visit to Manchester City: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

But it was interesting and informative that, rather than bask in the glory of their results under his tutelage, Chris Wilder politely declined the media’s invitation ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Manchester City. Instead, as he prepared to lead United into battle against Pep Guardiola’s side, it was a chapter from the opposition’s own eventful history which engaged the 52-year-old.

“My pal Gareth Taylor was in that match,” Wilder said, remembering City’s dramatic victory over Gillingham in 1999’s Second Division play-off final. “I see Paul Dickov, who took part in it too, every so often and also Nicky Weaver, who is working over there now with Sheffield Wednesday. That was a pivotal moment for them, for that football club, and if they hadn’t have won that shoot out then who knows where they might be now?”

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The answer, without a shadow of a doubt, is anywhere but the pinnacle of the English game. City’s triumph at Wembley, which saw them come from 2-0 down before winning on penalties, proved the start of a remarkable journey which has since delivered a brand new stadium, owners with seemingly unlimited finances and, following their exploits last season, four Premier League titles.

Wilder, like the majority of people in football, is fascinated by the story of how a previously under-performing club became a giant of the game. But the reason he chose to chronicle it, instead of focusing on United’s own achievements, was definitely no accident. Because City’s transformation underlines the importance of seizing opportunities. And, positioned sixth in the table when he sat down to preview this fixture, Wilder feels his own employers must do exactly the same now.

“When people talk about how far we’ve come,” Wilder said, “It takes a lot of things.

“A lot of things have happened at Manchester City, and not just on the pitch either, to give them the chance to go from that play-off final to being one of the most powerful institutions in work football.”

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“I don’t think I’m being controversial,” he continued, “By saying that for long periods in that city’s history, Manchester United dominated. But what has happened at City has challenged that.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (left) with assistant Rodolfo Borrell: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (left) with assistant Rodolfo Borrell: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (left) with assistant Rodolfo Borrell: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

“Their rise and their backing has challenged a lot of things.”

For ‘Manchester’ and ‘United’, read ‘Sheffield’ and ‘Wednesday’. Reading between the lines, having inherited a squad languishing in the third tier of English football when he took charge in 2016, Wilder clearly believes Bramall Lane’s hierarchy has the chance to engineer a similar power shift across the Pennines. Providing, with their arch-rivals from Hillsborough competing at Championship level, they demonstrate the same ambition as himself.

“We had it all on concentrating on ourselves last season, trying to get up,” Wilder said, reflecting upon his second promotion with United. “You do look a little bit at the Premier League and what’s going on elsewhere though.

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“The transformation at City over the past 12 to 15 years, well, what can you say? They’ve gone into a different world.

Sheffield United drew with Watford on Thursday: Simon Bellis/SportimageSheffield United drew with Watford on Thursday: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Sheffield United drew with Watford on Thursday: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

“They’ve invested an astronomical amount but they’ve got the absolute best out of it. They’ve got the maximum out of what’s been put in.”

United have done the same under Wilder, albeit on a much more modest budget. The majority of those expected to face City were acquired from EFL clubs but, beaten only once in their last 12 outings, have proved themselves at the highest level.

Still, with the transfer window approaching, Wilder is convinced United risk undermining their start to the campaign unless quality reinforcements are sourced. Defence and midfield, to avoid injuries or suspensions forcing a change of system, are his two main areas of concern.

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First, however, Wilder and his coaching staff must devise a strategy capable of troubling opponents with the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling at their disposal.

It is likely to focus, Wilder suggested at the Steelphalt Academy earlier this week, on trying to pose questions of a rearguard which has kept only one clean sheet in 13 outings. That could herald the return of Lys Mousset to United’s starting eleven after the French centre-forward, whose pace might make City reluctant to press too high upfield, began the 1-1 draw with Watford on the bench.

“Everyone has played a part and what the lads have done has been outstanding,” Wilder said. “But we want to look forward, not back.

“I don’t think it’s a fluke what the boys have done. You look at some of the draws we’ve had and ask could we have turned some of those into wins?

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“We’ll have a go, we’ll say ‘we’ll try and test you and push you back.’ But we also have to accept that we’re going to get pushed back.

“You have to accept the odds of us getting a result against Watford to Manchester City change dramatically. But that’s what we’re looking for.”