Sheffield United: Blades boss reveals his message to David McGoldrick

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, revealed he has personally reassured David McGoldrick of his importance to the club’s Premier League ambitions after admitting the centre-forward was disappointed not to score during the draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
David McGoldrick in action at WolvesDavid McGoldrick in action at Wolves
David McGoldrick in action at Wolves

McGoldrick missed a chance to extend United’s lead following Lys Mousset’s opener, firing the ball straight at Rui Patricio, before Matt Doherty’s equaliser punished that miss.

Although the Republic of Ireland international will enter Thursday’s game against Newcastle searching for his first goal for United since April, Wilder explained he remains one of the most valued members of Bramall Lane’s first team squad; a point he stressed to McGoldrick afterwards.

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“I had five minutes with David in the dressing room, away from everyone else, and told him how key he is for us,” Wilder said, after watching United stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches. “He wants to get one, of course he does, but we play better with David in the team and the partnership between him and Lys is very important for us at this moment in time. Make no mistake about that.”

“When David came off, because of a change we wanted to make, I didn’t hear anyone in our crowd sounding pleased. In fact, they were chanting and singing his name all the way through. That shows you what they think of him and everyone knows what we think of him as well. He’s a terrific player for us. Looking at the bigger picture, which you have to do, he brings so much to the table.”

Doherty’s finish, after Mousset had scored for the fifth time in as many league starts following a summer move from AFC Bournemouth, meant United finished the contest seventh in the table.

Wilder, who led them to promotion from the Championship last term, said: “We’re a little bit disappointed not to come away with more but, fair play to Wolves, they kept coming at us after playing in the Europa League in midweek. But the fact that we can come here and be a little bit disappointed is, for me, a good sign. Still, we want to keep driving it forward and that’s what we’ll try to do.”