Sheffield United's record signing Sander Berge reveals the one thing he is finding it impossible to get to grips with after moving to England

But Sander Berge admits that deciphering Jack O’Connell and John Lundstram’s deep Scouse brogue is still proving a challenge. Almost impossible in fact.

“I can understand John okay, I don’t find his accent the worst,” he smiles, looking back on his first six months as a Sheffield United player. “That’s got to be Jack and Lunny. Basically, whenever they talk to me I just reply ‘yes’ and then quickly move the conversation on.”

Berge has quickly adapted to life in South Yorkshire after leaving Genk earlier this term. By his own admission, the physicality of the Premier League initially came as a surprise even though, as a student as well as a player of the game, he was already aware of its peculiarities. Off the pitch, however, Berge has made a seamless adjustment with one member of Chris Wilder’s squad in particular seemingly taking him under his wing.

“Before and after lockdown, I probably spend the most time with John,” he explains. “All of the lads are great actually, including George Baldock and of course the skipper Billy (Sharp).

“John and I, though, we have lots of common interests and the same thoughts on everything. He loves basketball. I come from a basketball family. He’s into Formula One and so am I. Even though we’re footballers, I’ve come across lots who don’t really have much interest in games they’re not playing in.

“But I love watching football on the television and so does John, so when we do we make some food, and then he shows me Irish sport as well.

“Nobody is difficult to get along with here. Everyone has been brilliant. It’s just that John lives close by. I feel really comfortable here.”

Berge, capped 20 times by Norway having moved to Belgium from Valerenga three years ago, became the most expensive player in Bramall Lane’s history when United paid £22m to acquire his services during the January transfer window. Napoli and Burnley, who drew 1-1 with Wilder’s side on Sunday, were also known to be preparing bids before United’s new owners adjusted the manager’s recruitment budget in order to catch their fellow suitors on the hop.

With the Covid-19 pandemic interrupting the fixture schedule, tomorrow’s visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers promises to be only Berge’s 12th outing in United colours since arriving from the continent.

Although he respects Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, who make the journey north in sixth, two places and four points ahead of Wilder’s squad, Berge reveals he studies a Manchester City player to pick-up new tricks.

“Kevin de Bruyne, I love watching him and how they go about things in general. I watch de Bruyne a lot, because even though we are very different he finds himself in a lot of the same spaces as me.

“I don’t try and copy anybody. But you can always learn. When I was younger, I watched a lot of Spanish football back home but, to be honest, I also followed the game in Germany and Italy and England too. I watched everything I could.”

Unlike City, United are not a team which sets out to dominate possession - preferring to be effective rather than aesthetically pleasing, although, as Egan’s finish at Turf Moor demonstrates, they are capable of producing eye-catching passages of play.

“That was a ridiculous shot,” smiles Berge. “Brilliant, and the build up was really clever too.”

A centre-forward in his younger days, Berge believes United’s determination to overwhelm opposition defences by flooding men into the box should enable him to become a force to be reckoned with in the final third. Particularly, after settling into a new home near Millhouses Park, using the enforced break to improve his fitness levels.

“Gradually, I’m getting up to speed now and getting to where I want to perform,” Berge says, reflecting upon his recent performances against Arsenal, Burnley and Tottenham Hotspur - which delivered his first goal for the club.

“The lockdown was actually an opportunity for me to improve my physicality and fitness. When you are getting used to the intensity, it is difficult to make a difference and influence games, so hopefully now I am contributing more.”

With Oliver Norwood Wilder’s go-to man at the base of United’s midfield, Berge has also been forced to learn a subtly new role since competition resumed three weeks ago.

“You just have to try and be yourself and understand what is being demanded of you in the Premier League,” he admits. “How we do things here.

“To begin with, I was probably thinking too much. Now I just demand the ball rather than thinking too deeply about what helps the team. I don’t have to because I’m now catching what they want to do. I’m not in the wrong place. I’m a part of what the lads are doing.”

Only a season after being promoted from the Championship, United will take a giant leap towards qualifying for Europe next season if they condemn Wolves to their second successive defeat following last weekend’s loss to Arsenal.

“At home, without fans and supporters, people think the home advantage is less,” Berge said. “But we know this is our home and we know anything is possible. Whoever we play, we feel we can beat them.”

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