Mansfield Town 0-0 Sheffield United

David McGoldrick continued to press his case for a permanent contract with Sheffield United, showcasing his creativity and intelligence during this afternoon's friendly at Field Mill.
Sheffield United were held to a goalless draw by Mansfield TownSheffield United were held to a goalless draw by Mansfield Town
Sheffield United were held to a goalless draw by Mansfield Town

McGoldrick, who joined Chris Wilder's side on trial earlier this month, was their most effective performer before being withdrawn in a scheduled change early in the second-half.

But he had already done enough to suggest United's coaching staff, despite being reluctant to make a hasty decision, would be wise to revise their schedule.

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Wilder, who admitted McGoldrick had "done really well again" after catching the eye against Bradford City in midweek, was less impressed by his team's performance against a combative and talented Mansfield Town.

"I didn't think we were very good," Wilder said. "I thought they were better than us and I don't like that, no matter what the game is."

Wilder, the United manager, also admitted his displeasure had persuaded him to keep John Egan on the bench following his record breaking move from Brentford on Thursday. The centre-half, who according to Wilder will "definitely" appear when Internazionale arrive at Bramall Lane on Tuesday, completed several furious warm-ups on the touchline but was not introduced.

Explaining why, Wilder said: "He's already been assessed in the week. And I didn't want the lads out there to have it easy because I wasn't happy with what I was watching."

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As expected, Egan began his latest spell at United on the bench, having completed a brief spell on loan at the

club earlier in his career. But, potentially of even greater significance, was Simon Moore's appearance

alongside the Republic of Ireland international. The goalkeeper, now recovered from the injury which has

interrupted his pre-season preparations, has attracted interest from West Bromwich Albion in recent weeks

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with officials at The Hawthorns known to be confident of securing his services. Although Wilder attempted

to play down the issue following Tuesday's win at Bradford City, United's coaching staff have been aware of

Albion's intentions. But, by declaring himself available for the trip to Nottinghamshire, United will hope

Moore has sent a coded message to the Black County club about his future intentions.

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McGoldrick sent one to Wilder and his staff too, producing some excellent passages of play before the break.

Indeed, but for possibly his only poor touch of the entire first half, he would have contributed with a goal

too. Mark Duffy, another stand-out performer, picked out his team mate after sweeping a long angled pass

into the penalty area, only for McGoldrick's control to let him down. Mansfield goalkeeper Conrad Logan

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thwarted McGoldrick soon after with a memorable diving save. The move, involving Duffy, Chris Basham and

Kieron Freeman, deserved to be finished off in style. And it would have been had Logan not managed to claw

McGoldrick's close range effort away to safety before Billy Sharp fired wide.

Mansfield selected plenty of names the travelling supporters would recognise, with former United players

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Jacob Mellis, Otis Khan and CJ Hamilton on the hosts' team sheet. Mellis' presence at the League Two club,

given the promise of his early career, should serve as a reminder to all young players about the dangers of

moving to quickly and too soon. Lured away by Chelsea as a teenager, the midfielder has failed to fulfil the

potential of his early years but remains a prodigious talent.

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Indeed, it was his partnership with Craig Davies which posed the greatest threat to United's defence with the

latter seeing shot blocked by Basham after peeling away from Richard Stearman. Mansfield improved after the break but and missed several opportunities of their own before substitutes Ryan Leonard and Ricky Holmes went close for United during the closing stages.

"It was a great game for us," Wilder said. "Because it served as a reminder about what we've got to do."