Chris Wilder makes 'world-class' Manchester United comment after nervy Sheffield United win

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has described last night’s defeat against Manchester United as ‘bittersweet’ and claims that he does not go along with the narrative that Erik ten Hag’s side are a poor team.

United captain Bruno Fernandes, former Blades skipper Harry Maguire and summer recruit Rasmus Hojlund were the goalscorers as the Red Devils fought back from behind on two occasions to avoid a shock defeat against a team that have won just three times all season.

The chaotic victory in front of the Old Trafford faithful allowed Manchester United to leapfrog Newcastle in the top six race after their costly away defeat to Crystal Palace.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United are 10 points away from safety and face the prospect of being relegated at the weekend if either Nottingham Forest or Luton Town can pick up all three points. Despite the loss, Wilder praised his side for the way they performed against world-class talents and said that this season could have been very different if the Blades did a few things differently from a defensive point of view.

Speaking after the game, Wilder said: “It’s bittersweet for me. I don’t go with the narrative that Manchester United are poor. You look at the team-sheet, they’ve got world-class players all over the park. Then you look at the other team-sheet and no criticism of anyone but it’s the best we can put out in terms of what’s available.

“You expect to be under a bit of pressure, you expect your goalkeeper to make some saves which he did… you score two away from home and take the game to 80 minutes. Those are the positives.

“But the negative is yet again, if we do things a little bit differently from our defensive point of view, not just tonight, but we come away with many more points than what we’ve got and we wouldn’t be in this position. But we are.”

Manchester United face another struggling side, in second bottom Burnley at the weekend. Vincent Kompany’s side have lost just one of their last seven matches and will hope to boost their survival hopes with a shock result at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils will also be keeping an eye on Sheffield United’s next game as they make the trip to take on top six rivals Newcastle United.