Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder issues 'Project Restart' warning as the race for Europe prepares to enter its decisive phase

Seventh in the table when the fixture calendar was suspended in March, United are set to make their long-awaited return to action on June 17 with a visit to Aston Villa.

A win in the West Midlands would see them move to within two points of the Champions League qualification positions with nine league games remaining.

Given the gruelling nature of the schedule devised by the architects of ‘Project Restart’ - the FA Cup, where United are preparing to meet Arsenal in the quarter-finals, is also being brought out of mothballs - Wilder predicted: “Teams are going to have to be 100 per cent together. If they’re not, then for me, they’re going to struggle.”

Wilder has no concerns about the attitude of his own squad, after watching them defy expectations since being promoted from the Championship last term. Despite being written-off as certainties for relegation by many pundits and commentators, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Jose Mourinho of Tottenham Hotspur are among those to publicly talk-up United’s chances of reaching Europe in recent months.

Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, manager of reigning champions Manchester City, have also expressed their admiration for the way Wilder’s squad has adapted to life at the highest level.

“You’ve got to be all in,” Wilder said. “Our lads are.”

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