Sheffield United's greatest hits under Chris Wilder

Although he is poised to leave them languishing at the bottom of the table, 12 points adrift of safety after losing all but six of their 28 outings so far this term, Wilder will be remembered as the man who brought the pride back to Bramall Lane after leading United back into the top-flight following more than a decade away only three seasons after taking charge.

The Star’s James Shield identifies and describes his six greatest wins at the helm.

Northampton Town (a) - April 8th 2017: United arrived at Sixfields, where Wilder had managed before taking charge in the summer of 2016, knowing that beating their manager’s former club would end their long spell in League One. There was a brief hiccup, when Marc Roberts put the hosts in front, before goals from Leon Clarke and John Fleck sparked jubilant scenes, as travelling supporters invaded the pitch without any complaints from the hosts.

Chesterfield (h) - April 30th 2017: Wilder’s relentless nature became apparent when, despite delivering promotion at the first time of asking, he demanded United finish the League One season not only as title winners but also on 100 points. Goals from Kieron Freeman, Billy Sharp and Daniel Lafferty helped them reach that landmark.

Sheffield Wednesday (a) - September 24th 2017: United entered the first derby since 2012 branded a “Pub Team” supposedly destined for an immediate return to League One, after eschewing glamorous new signings. The portents were not good when injuries depleted their squad ahead of the game, but goals from Mark Duffy and Clarke, after Gary Hooper and Lucas Joao had cancelled out earlier efforts from Fleck and the former Wednesday striker saw United make their detractors look foolish.

Leeds United (a) - March 16 2019: United arrived at Elland Road locked in a dogfight with Marcelo Bielsa’s side for the second automatic promotion spot from the Championship. A win for the hosts would have tipped the balance firmly in their favour but Chris Basham’s second-half finish, after United proved they could grind down opponents as well as overwhelm them, changed the dynamic of the battle for the runners-up berth.

Ipswich Town (h) - April 27th 2019: Strikes from Scott Hogan and Jack O’Connell left United with one foot in the Premier League moving them six points clear of Leeds who knew they had to beat Aston Villa a day later in order to keep the race for automatic promotion alive. They didn’t, and United were up with one game left to play.

Chelsea (h) - July 11th 2020: David McGoldrick scored his first Premier League goals, either side of an Oli McBurnie finish, as United dispatched opponents with Willian, Tammy Abraham, Jorginho and Christian Pulisic at their disposal in comfortable fashion. The clean sheet emphasised United’s dominance.

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