'The more you write us off, the more determined we get' Sheffield United star roars ahead of crucial game in the race for Europe

With three matches of the season remaining, Chris Wilder’s side will enter tomorrow’s match only five points outside the Champions League places and firmly in the race for Europa League qualification.

Despite beating Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur in recent weeks, many commentators have predicted United’s dreams of playing on the continent next term are likely to be dashed because they lack the resources of other leading clubs.

Revealing even Wilder has taken to teasing his players about their supposed lack of quality, Osborn said: “The gaffer keeps telling us the bubble is about to burst. But it doesn’t seem to burst and it doesn’t seem to be happening. We don’t just want things to fizzle out.”

Asked if United have received the recognition their performances since being promoted last term warrant, Osborn added: “It does seem to be ‘It was a poor performance from Chelsea’ or ‘A poor performance from Spurs’ before a good performance by us. But that kind of suits us in a way.

“And there’s more to us than just working hard. We do have a philosophy and a shape that’s hard to deal with. I’ve said all along, we’ve got really good players here.”

United will close the gap between themselves and City in fourth to only two points if they avenge August’s defeat by Brendan Rodgers’ side at Bramall Lane.

But Osborn, a summer signing from Nottingham Forest, insisted the prospect of competing against the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich next term is not proving a distraction as they look to extend their unbeaten run to five matches.

“Honestly, we’ve not mentioned it (Europe), the only time we did was when we looked at the table after the weekend,” Osborn said. “Then, that was it. The games are coming thick and fast and there’s no easy games so we’ve not even had the time to discuss anything like that.”

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