The message Sheffield United's manager is so desperate to deliver

His destination was the canteen of the Steelphalt Academy training complex, where the players had gathered for breakfast before venturing out into the rain. Wilder’s demeanor - and the speed of his exit - betrayed the fact he had an important message to relay.

“I want us to look up,” United’s manager had insisted around half an hour or so earlier. “I can’t go into a team meeting and start talking about ‘let’s try and keep out of the bottom three’ can I?

“I want us to drive on. I don’t want to settle for what we’ve got. I want us to try and keep moving forward.”

What Wilder was saying, without explicitly admitting it, is that United now have their sights fixed on qualifying for Europe. Because if they do keep progressing, after climbing to sixth in the table with only 12 matches remaining, then that is where they will end up. Indeed, with only two points separating them from fourth-placed Chelsea, United know a victory over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday could lift them into the final Champions League berth. Win, lose or draw, it is a tribute to the focus, the commitment and yes, the calibre of Wilder’s side, that they are even a part of this conversation 10 months after gaining promotion from the Championship and three years after climbing out of League One.

It was that achievement, not last term’s dogfight with Leeds and Norwich City, Wilder would later use to inspire his squad. While they sipped their tea and chewed their cornflakes, veterans of 2017’s title winning campaign - including captain Billy Sharp, John Fleck and Chris Basham - nodded sagely as he described how - despite already securing first place - United went on to achieve another objective: reaching the 100 point mark.

“I’m not talking about it,” Wilder said, again side-stepping the subject he was being quizzed on with the dexterity of a seasoned politician. “ I’ve been in the game long enough to know the pitfalls and what can happen if you start patting yourself on the back. Look back to our first season here, when we got 100 points. I think that showed the attitude we want to take.”

United began their preparations for Albion’s visit in Dubai, travelling to the Middle East after beating AFC Bournemouth before returning to England last weekend. Panos Retsos and Richairo Zivkovic, both signed on transfer deadline day, used the trip to integrate with their new colleagues before being handed a proper introduction to English football on Tuesday afternoon.

“We had a behind closed doors game against Lincoln on Tuesday, in testing conditions,” Wilder explained. “Panos and Richairo have had quite an introduction. Up at Shirecliffe, the conditions and the wind wasn’t the best for that match.

“Of course they are pushing. They all are. Players like Luke Freeman, Jack Robinson, Jack Rodwell; they are pushing as well.”

While United attempt to gatecrash a party supposedly reserved for more exclusive clubs, Albion have an altogether different priority after suffering a downturn in form since Christmas. Beaten by United at the AMEX Stadium in December - Oli McBurnie scoring the only goal of the game midway through the first-half - Graham Potter’s side are 15th - three points above the relegation zone - after failing to win any of their last seven outings.

Wilder, however, is aware of the threat Albion pose; attributing their position to Potter’s desire to transform their approach rather than a lack of quality among his counterpart’s coaching or playing staff.

“It was a tight game down there, but they are a dangerous side with an owner who has put a lot in,” Wilder said, noting how Albion have enjoyed more than 60 per cent of the possession in all of their previous three games. “They’ve had a change of approach too.

“We took our chance down there. But it wasn’t easy. Far from it. Other games might whet the appetite of people more but, make no mistake, this one is just as important and it’s going to be as tough as it gets.”

Little wonder then that, after also tackling issues such as recruitment strategy, the offside law and player contracts, a broad smile spread across Wilder’s face when his possible selections were raised.

“Everybody is okay injury wise,” he confirmed. “Going over old ground, their application to the gym work and the work they have to do to get into shape and stay in shape, it’s something else. The players’ attitude speaks volumes.”