The numbers reveal why Sheffield United didn't want a winter break

Its passengers included Sheffield United’s first team squad, members of their coaching staff and, as he had made clear only nine hours earlier, one very reluctant traveller.

“I don’t agree with it to be honest,” said Chris Wilder, bemoaning the Premier League’s winter break. “I want it to roll on and I don’t actually see the point of it at this time to be honest.

“The players are fit and healthy. They want to go again.”

Wilder, the United manager, has been a lone dissenting voice ever since the hiatus in the fixture schedule was first announced. Pep Guardiola, Brendan Rodgers and Jurgen Klopp, despite his objections about the scheduling of FA Cup replays, had been among those campaigning for its introduction. But the 52-year-old always harboured reservations. Even though, with his team having only just been promoted from the Championship, a sense of place and respect for his new top-flight colleagues persuaded him not to express them publicly at the time.

But after watching United climb to fifth in the table following their win over AFC Bournemouth, Wilder finally felt comfortable breaking cover. Firmly in contention for a place in Europe next season, the 52-year-old and his assistants no longer feel the need to doff their caps or toe the party line.

Wilder’s objection to the concept is three-fold. Firstly, with United completing a hat-trick of victories since losing to Manchester City three weeks ago, he believes it handicaps those clubs who have gathered momentum. The number of matches United have taken part in since leaving the English Football League is also significantly lower.

And, with his side not due to return to action until February 22, Wilder is convinced supporters are not in favour either. Particularly those who follow what might politely be described as less glamorous clubs.

“The fans, the people who make the game what it is, they’d rather be watching matches,” he insisted. “That’s what they look forward to. Not having some time off from the thing they love doing. The thing they pay good money to do.”

“Everyone will be training in one way or another,” he continued. “Nobody, as far as I’m aware, is going to be doing anything different to what they would usually do except maybe in a different place.

“One of the challenges in football is to roll on to the game. We’ll try and maximise it in a couple of ways but, no, I don’t like it and I’d rather it wasn’t happening.”

United’s journey into the PL means they are well-versed in the art of coping with busy calendars.

The meeting with Bournemouth was their 30th outing in all competitions this term, compared to 33 at the same stage last season and 35 the season before. During Wilder’s first campaign in charge, which saw him lead United to the League One title, they had competed 36 times.

So United are likely to use their time in city to regroup and integrate new signings Sander Berge, Panos Retsos and Richairo Zivkovic rather than simply relaxing. Particularly as they also face a weekend off following their meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion later this month, given Aston Villa’s involvement in the EFL Cup final.

“We’ll maximise the situation,” Wilder said. “We’ll make the most out of it.”