Why Chris Wilder wants Sheffield United's players to follow the example of midfielder John Lundstram

The Blades boss was delighted by Lundstram’s reaction after losing his place to new signing Sander Berge at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Lundstram replaced Berge with just under half an hour of the game remaining and impressed in his cameo in United’s 1-0 victory, thanks to Vicente Guaita dropping Ollie Norwood’s corner over his own goalline.

Berge, the Norweigan international, also showed glimpses of his ability on his Premier League debut – giving Wilder a welcome selection headache ahead of Sunday’s televised Premier League clash at home to AFC Bournemouth.

And Wilder has challenged the rest of his Blades squad to follow Lundstram's lead as the Blades look to deliver European football to Bramall Lane for the first time in the club's history.

“You try to sign players to make you better in the second half of the season, to raise standards and to add to a group that's done fantastically well,” Wilder said of Berge’s £22m club-record capture.

“We're covered now positions-wise with genuine competition all over the park and players have got to rise to the challenge, which is why I was thrilled with John Lundstram and his attitude to it.

“He showed, 'You're going to have a problem now because I'm here, I've played well so far this season' and I expect that from everybody.”