Sheffield United: Sander Berge is told he must do more of this ahead of semi-final against Nottingham Forest

Sander Berge, the Sheffield United midfielder, is being challenged to realise his goal scoring potential as Paul Heckingbottom’s side prepare for the Championship play-offs.
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Berge, who is expected to start the first leg of United’s semi-final against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon, netted his fifth of the season during last weekend’s 4-0 victory over Fulham.

The Norway international’s much-improved form has come at an opportune moment for Heckingbottom, whose team must negotiate their way past Forest and then either Huddersfield Town or Luton Town in order to reach the Premier League.

Sheffield United and Norway midfielder Sander Berge celebrates his goal against Fulham: Simon Bellis / SportimageSheffield United and Norway midfielder Sander Berge celebrates his goal against Fulham: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
Sheffield United and Norway midfielder Sander Berge celebrates his goal against Fulham: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

The upturn in form

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Although the former Barnsley, Leeds and Hibernian chief thinks Berge is now beginning to show why United paid £22m to sign him two years ago, he believes there is still plenty more to come from the midfielder who appeared in both the Champions League and Europa League during a spell with Genk.

“Sander is a big player for us,” Heckingbottom told The Star. “His athleticism, his calmness are both important.

Paul Heckingbottom wants even more from Sander Berge: Simon Bellis / SportimagePaul Heckingbottom wants even more from Sander Berge: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
Paul Heckingbottom wants even more from Sander Berge: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

“To be honest, I actually want him to be scoring more goals for us. As far as I’m concerned, he should be scoring almost every single week, every single game, because of the positions he is now getting into.”

The big test now

After enjoying a purple path in March, netting three times in four outings, Berge had gone nine matches without a goal before the meeting with Marco Silva’s side. Beating the best team in the division - Fulham arrived in South Yorkshire having already wrapped up the title - meant United finished fifth in the table; one place and five points behind Forest.

Sander Berge is expected to start for Sheffield United against Nottingham Forest: Simon Bellis / SportimageSander Berge is expected to start for Sheffield United against Nottingham Forest: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
Sander Berge is expected to start for Sheffield United against Nottingham Forest: Simon Bellis / Sportimage
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After hosting their rivals from the east Midlands, United contest the return leg at the City Ground next Tuesday.

Heckingbottom, who began preparing his squad for “two tough encounters” yesterday, said: “We changed Sander’s position a little bit not so long back and so now, he’s getting in the areas much easier where he can do damage. He can clearly finish and we want him to be doing that a lot more, because he’s definitely got the ability to do it.

"That’s the next challenge for him and it’s one I know he can achieve.”