Sheffield United manager reveals his top priority ahead of Manchester United's visit to Bramall Lane

Chris Wilder has made improving confidence levels within Sheffield United’s squad his number one priority ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Manchester United, after admitting a lack of self-belief is threatening to undermine its survival push.
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United have prepared for the meeting with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side at the bottom of the Premier League table and eight points from safety, although the gap between themselves and 17th place could have stretched to 11 before kick-off.

Despite acknowledging United’s performance against Southampton at St Mary’s on Sunday was not good enough to trouble Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team, Wilder’s criticism has been tempered by suspicions that many of its faults can be attributed to nerves following a run of 12 games without a win.

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“Then, you saw that we are struggling with confidence and belief,” Wilder said, analysing events following the second of the three goals Southampton scored. “We were struggling to see if we should press or hold, but you can understand that with the position we are in.”

Aaron Ramsdale and Chris Wilder of Sheffield United after their side's 3-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sheffield United at St Mary's Stadiu:  Robin Jones/Getty ImagesAaron Ramsdale and Chris Wilder of Sheffield United after their side's 3-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sheffield United at St Mary's Stadiu:  Robin Jones/Getty Images
Aaron Ramsdale and Chris Wilder of Sheffield United after their side's 3-0 defeat during the Premier League match between Southampton and Sheffield United at St Mary's Stadiu: Robin Jones/Getty Images

Despite delivering a series of honest assessments about United’s displays so far this term - and refusing to make light of the trouble they find themselves in only 20 months after being promoted from the Championship - Wilder has, barring one of two incidents born out of sheer frustration, talked up his players’ chances of avoiding the drop in recent weeks. It is a sign, as they prepare to focus on making loan rather than temporary signings during the forthcoming transfer window, that he believes confidence is the issue preventing United from making a serious bid for safety as they brace themselves for Sunday’s showdown with fellow strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion.

“I believe in the lads,” he said. “They haven’t gone individual, and that’s one of the first things you look for in situations like this - are the players sticking together and trying to help each other, which these boys are - or are they looking after themselves, which they aren’t.

“That doesn’t surprise me, because I know they’re a group that cares about each other and cares about the football club.”

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