Schedules, safety and clean sheets: Points from the presser ahead of Sheffield United's trip to Chelsea

The Blades manager was joined by defender Chris Basham on a Zoom call with assembled local and national journalists, to preview their clash at Stamford Bridge - where the Blades are looking for a first win since the early 1990s.

They will be buoyed by taking six points off the Blues last season, however, and their 3-0 victory at Bramall Lane over Frank Lampard's men was their last in the Premier League to date.

Here are a few of the key talking points to emerge from the media gathering.

'It's no good moaning about fixtures'

Without a doubt, the schedule has not been kind to United in recent weeks and the game at Chelsea brings a grateful end to a run of games that has seen Wilder's side also face Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Their only point in league action so far came in a 1-1 home draw with promoted Fulham, but Wilder was in no mood to use the tough run as an excuse this morning.

"It's the Premier League and we want to be here so it's no good moaning about fixtures," he said, adding that he viewed Saturday's game as a great opportunity to play against a club, and manager in Frank Lampard, who has done well of late.

The Blues strengthened hugely in the summer, signing the likes of Hakim Ziyech, Thiago Silva and Timo Werner, but another key man, £72m Kai Havertz, will be absent after testing positive for Covid-19 earlier this week.

Covid a concern, concedes Wilder

After the final whistle on Saturday, United's international stars will pack their bags and join up with their countries for the latest round of international games.

Playing international football in the middle of a global pandemic, and just as the UK goes into a second lockdown, has been criticised by many.

But the likes of Sander Berge, John Egan and Oli McBurnie will all travel around Europe before United's next game, and Wilder admits it is a concern for a club manager. Especially following Egan's Covid-19 scare, when a Republic of Ireland teammate tested positive and he was initially deemed to have been a close contact.

"When they leave our bubble, or the Premier League, then it opens it up," Wilder said. "And it's a huge risk for the players when they're flying all around Europe."

No pressure on Didzy from the Blades

One man who United soon won't have to worry about during international breaks is David McGoldrick, who announced his retirement from Ireland duty this week in a bid to prolong his career in the Premier League with United.

Wilder insisted that the decision was McGoldrick's alone, and admitted that it is an obvious benefit for the Blades to have the forward concentrating solely on his club football.

"He’s given so much to this football club," Wilder said, "and there’s so much more for him to do.”

Bash eyeing up more clean sheets

It's something the Blades prided themselves on last season, but haven't managed to replicate this time around.

And Basham admits that he and his teammates are desperate to keep more clean sheets after praising goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as "outstanding" since he rejoined the club in the summer.

Ramsdale was a busy man once again against City, making a number of saves to keep United in the game despite being beaten by Kyle Walker.

And Basham admitted: "Last year we prided ourselves on clean sheets, we're looking for our first one because I think Ramsdale has been outstanding since he came in.

"We took four points against Chelsea last year, can we go and get some more off them?"

Injury returns offer a lift

Wilder revealed that Lys Mousset and John Fleck aren't too far off a return to United's first team, which the manager described as "a great boost for everyone, me included".

Both men, along with Jack O'Connell, have been big misses for United so far this season, and the United boss expects them to be pushing for a return to the first team after the international break.

Fleck gives United so much going forward on the left of midfield, while Mousset finished his first season at United as joint top scorer despite suffering a number of personal issues away from the field.

Fleck, who injured his back on international duty with Scotland, is ahead of Mousset in terms of his progress, but both men could give United a welcome selection boost by declaring themselves fit and available when United return to Premier League action against West Ham on November 22.

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