Sheffield United could have nearly three millions reasons to win at Southampton this weekend

Chris Wilder is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his squad for Sunday’s visit to Southampton, amid concerns it could send out the wrong signal about Sheffield United’s determination to finish the Premier League season on a high.
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With several long-serving members expected to depart following the match at St Mary’s - and given the visitors can no longer qualify for Europe - there had been suggestions coaching staff could make a series of sentimental selections in order to reward players for their service.

However, with the manager reiterating the importance of preserving United’s “winning mentality” ahead of the new campaign, he is reluctant to diminish chances of holding onto eighth place by resting some of his most influential performers against Ralf Hasenhuttl’s side.

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“We’re not in the business of getting minutes into people’s legs or anything like that,” Wilder said. “We are in the business of trying to win football matches.

“The attitude we have here is a competitive one. It’s vital that stays the same.

“Everyone needs to have a winning mentality. We don’t want things to just peter out.”

United’s final league position could also impact upon Wilder’s recruitment budget during the next transfer window, with all top-flight clubs likely to incur significant losses because of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Competition chiefs are yet to confirm their latest merit payments, as they count the cost of being forced to suspend the fixture schedule for three months when the health crisis worsened in March. But based on last term’s figures, the difference between coming eighth and 10th - which is the lowest United can fall if they are beaten by Southampton - could be worth nearly £3m.

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After warning the amount which had been set to be placed at his disposal this summer is set to drop as Bramall Lane’s board of directors and many of their counterparts elsewhere tighten the pursestrings, Wilder will hope any revenues generated by his team are used to strengthen the options at United’s disposal.

Sheffield United play the final match of their season at Southampton on Sunday: Simon Bellis/SportimageSheffield United play the final match of their season at Southampton on Sunday: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Sheffield United play the final match of their season at Southampton on Sunday: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

“There’s always a reason to win,” Wilder said. “If there isn't, there's something wrong."

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