Why Sheffield United must be taken seriously as European contenders

United were seventh - unbeaten in six and preparing for an FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal - when the game went into lockdown nearly seven weeks ago.

“We’re not sat in this position by fluke,” Wilder, who led United to promotion from the Championship last term, said. “We’re sat in this position because of a lot of hard work.

“We have to take stock when the season finishes and we have to try and improve every single part of the club. We have to keep rolling it on and trying to get better.

“But the lads are where they are because they warrant being there. The thing now, the biggest challenge, is going to be maintaining that and doing even more.”

With only five points separating his team from fourth placed Chelsea - who have played a game more than United - Wilder has opposed calls to abandon the campaign and start afresh later this year rather than try and plot a course through the chaos caused by the pandemic.

With more than 90 matches still to be played, senior figures within the PL accept they will be forced to redraw the timetable for 2020/21 if they are to make good on their commitment to complete the schedule.

Although United have entered previous summits with an open mind - “We prefer to listen to all the arguments first, not go in with any preconceived ideas,” a source has told The Star - Wilder is encouraging them to help block proposals, being put forward by some within the sport, to decide league placings on measures such as average points per game or past performances.

"I hope we don't do what has happened somwhere like Belgium, where they've just drawn a line under the whole thing," he said. "I think we've got to finish it."

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