How Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has fared in his seven previous derbies against Sheffield Wednesday
Chris Wilder is looking to extend his incredible Steel City derby record this weekend
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder is preparing his team for another huge showdown with local rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Wilder, who also enjoyed two separate stints as player for the Blades, is currently in his third spell in charge of his boyhood club - and he’s someone that knows more than most about the importance of winning the Steel City derby and having the bragging rights around the city.
Throughout his career in management Wilder has come against the Owls on seven different occasions - and faced off against six different managers in the opposing dugout.
And he’s still remarkably yet to taste defeat. In fact, Wilder’s record against the Hillsborough outfit is so good that his team have not even trailed on derby day at any point during his tenure.
Here we take a look back at all his meetings with Sheffield Wednesday as a manager, while recapping some of his standout moments against them.
Sheffield Wednesday 2-4 Sheffield United - September 2017
Newly-promoted Sheffield United overcame a Sheffield Wednesday team that had reached the Championship play-offs in both of the two previous seasons under Carlos Carvalhal.
The Blades stormed into a two-goal lead through John Fleck and Leon Clarke before being pegged back by goals from Gary Hooper and Lucas João. Mark Duffy restored United’s lead just moments after the equaliser before Clarke’s second of the game put the game to bed.
It remains the highest scoring derby of the Chris Wilder era so far.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday - January 2018
Ten-man Sheffield Wednesday held off city rivals United to draw their first game under new manager Jos Luhukay.
Owls defender Glenn Loovens was sent off after 64 minutes but United failed to capitalise on the man advantage. “I think Carlos [Carvalhal, then Swansea manager] might be a little disappointed watching that from south Wales because they are a good football club with good players,” said Wilder at the time.
Sheffield United 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday - September 2018
Cameron Dawson was the hero for the Owls in a cagey 0-0 draw between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday in this one.
Dawson was the man of the moment with a penalty save to deny David McGoldrick as a resolute Owls defence went on to absorb wave after wave of pressure from Wilder’s team.
"I thought their goalkeeper was outstanding all night and their best player by a country mile,” said Wilder after the match.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Sheffield United - March 2019
Despite winning automatic promotion that season, Sheffield United were unable to score or beat Sheffield Wednesday throughout the campaign.
The match at Hillsborough saw Wilder fare off against former Blades boss Steve Bruce in a nervy and largely uneventful affair where neither side managed to gain any real flow or momentum going forward.
Sheffield United 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday - November 2024
After three consecutive 0-0 draws, United were finally able to break the deadlock against Wednesday as they secure a narrow 1-0 home win over Danny Rohl’s team.
Tyrese Campbell’s 50th minute winner was enough to decide this particular contest. That proved to be a real hot streak for the striker, who enjoyed a pretty impressive debut season in terms of goals.
Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Sheffield United - March 2025
Rhian Brewster netted the winner in the second half at Hillsborough as United claimed their first league double over their city rivals since 2005-06.
"It feels good. I talked to the players before (about) how we were ridiculed for being in League One, a pub league and all that, since I took over in 2016. We managed to close the gap,” said Wilder.
"I wanted to adjust the narrative that we weren't a pub league side and all of a sudden it changes and now we're a rival. It changes, we're now 31 points above them.
"The supporters are the supporters, fabulous from both sets, the noise here was fabulous. I knew what the game was going to be like.”
Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Sheffield United - November 2025
Sheffield United boss Wilder extended his fantastic derby day record by guiding his team to a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Hillsborough Stadium.
The Owls were second best over the course of an afternoon that saw Tyrese Campbell again act as chief tormentor by scoring twice, with Tom Cannon getting the third goal of the game.
It marked a difficult afternoon for Henrik Pedersen, who has struggled to get results this season amid financial challenges.