Sheffield United: Striker's role and a huge selection 'headache' ahead of Luton test
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There, rather than being used as an out-and-out targetman, the Scotland international wreaked havoc by pulling opponents out of position before popping up in some pretty unusual positions. But in South Yorkshire, after being lured away from south Wales by Paul Heckingbottom’s predecessor Chris Wilder, he has spent long periods of his career physically engaging with defenders. It made sense when United were still competing in the Premier League but, for those who remember his performances with City, less so since they were relegated back to the Championship.
Although McBurnie failed to end a barren spell stretching back to September during last weekend’s win over Blackburn Rovers, he enters Friday’s meeting with Luton Town on the back of his best performance in a United jersey for well over a year.
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Hide AdNow recovered from the injury and illness issues which have plagued him for the past 12 months, Heckingbottom believes it is no coincidence that McBurnie’s tour-de-force display against Rovers coincided with a subtle tactical switch which allowed him to make the most of the attributes which persuaded United to pay £20m to acquire his services.
“If I left him alone he would drift and get on the ball but because he had Reda with him he had to be the focal point, not something that comes naturally to Reda who is more elusive and uses his pace in the channels,” said Heckingbottom, who could pair McBurnie and Reda Khadra together again at Kenilworth Road.
“He added a different dimension to us, that physical presence against the centre half. When we played Rhian (Brewster) and Iliman (Ndiaye) in the first few games, Rhian was trying to be elusive, play off the shoulder and get those chances, Iliman coming deep, getting on the ball and twisting and turning, looking after it. In their own right that’s their qualities.”
Although Heckingbottom will be tempted to select Khadra and McBurnie again, not least because it would be a huge boost to the latter’s confidence, Ndiaye’s two finishes during the victory over Rovers has presented him with a welcome selection dilemma. Neither McBurnie nor Khadra deserve to be dropped, and showed signs of building a good partnership as United climbed to the top of the table.
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Hide AdBut the impact Ndiaye made after being introduced as a late substitute, following Oliver Norwood’s opener, means it will prove almost impossible not to pick him in Bedfordshire.
Although McBurnie has scored only seven times for United following his transfer in the summer of 2019, Heckingbottom remains convinced he can rediscover the form which once made him one of the most sought-after attackers outside of the top-flight.
“Oli can do that other stuff but he was physically wanting to play against the centre backs and when you are a defender it gives you an easier pass because he is a big target and that’s why most good things came through him against Rovers,” Heckingbottom said.