Sheffield United will have fresh Oli McBurnie frustration after Chris Wilder u-turn | OneFootball

Oli McBurnie's scoring exploits contrast quite badly against Sheffield United's poor form

Sheffield United supporters will be extremely frustrated to see Oli McBurnie scoring again for Hull City after the club failed to secure a move for him in the summer.

It will be especially frustrating because of the Blades’ decision to re-appoint Chris Wilder as manager given their history together.

McBurnie first joined the Yorkshire outfit when the 57-year-old was in charge of the club, arriving from Swansea City following their 2019 promotion to the Premier League.

The Scotland international scored six times in the top flight as Sheffield United earned an impressive ninth place finish in the table.

With Wilder now back in charge for a third stint, but the team struggling for form, many will be wondering what kind of impact the forward could be having at Bramall Lane instead of with the Tigers.

Sheffield United will rue missing out on Oli McBurnie

Sheffield United were linked with a move to sign McBurnie even after Wilder’s departure from the club last summer.

The forward was available following his departure from Spanish side Las Palmas, and a number of Championship sides were circling.

However, a return to Bramall Lane didn’t come to fruition, with the 29-year-old ultimately opting to move to rivals Hull instead.

It has now been claimed by Alan Biggs that the striker would have considered a return if Wilder had remained in charge.

McBurnie has made a very strong start to the season, showing exactly why so many clubs were keen for his signature, and why this development will be so frustrating for supporters to discover.

A brace for the Tigers in their 2-2 draw against Preston North End on Tuesday earned the team a valuable point and further cemented his importance to the side.

He has now scored six times from eight appearances in the Championship this season, as well as providing three assists.

It’s hard not to imagine what kind of impact he could’ve been having at Bramall Lane instead, especially with Wilder now back at the helm.

The appointment of Ruben Selles proved a disaster, and the decision to bring Wilder back was a clear admission of a mistake made.

In a world where Sheffield United kept Wilder and brought McBurnie in for a second stint at the club, it’s easy to think that the club would be much further up the table.

Nobody has been able to provide the same kind of attacking threat for the Blades so far this season, even last year’s talisman Tyrese Campbell, who has just two goals to his name this term.

Supporters are losing patience with Sheffield United’s new owners

Sheffield United supporters are quickly going to lose patience with the new owners if their form doesn’t improve, and McBurnie’s goal scoring exploits won’t help.

The forward is fondly remembered at Bramall Lane for his role in that impressive ninth place finish in the Premier League in 2020.

He was also key to their promotion back to the top flight under Paul Heckingbottom, scoring 13 times in 38 appearances as the team finished second in the Championship.

McBurnie also performed well in La Liga, contributing three goals and six assists in the Spanish top flight.

So it’s no surprise that he’s making an instant impact at Hull, scoring crucial goals that are earning the team important points.

The 29-year-old had a role in all three goals in their 3-2 win over Oxford United, including scoring a stoppage time winner, as well as providing three goals from their 2-2 draws against Swansea and Preston.

Without those contributions, Hull would be much worse off in the table, with McBurnie playing a key role in the earning of five of their nine points.

His goal and assist in the 3-1 win over Southampton was also crucial to earning all three points instead of just one.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United lack those kind of game changers at the moment, and that’s why they’re rooted to the bottom of the table.

Reportedly missing out on a reunion between Wilder and McBurnie is the latest sticking point against the owners, who have overseen the fall from the play-off final to last in the division.

Their frustration could soon reach a boiling point if things don’t improve at Bramall Lane, particularly with a trip to visit McBurnie's Hull looming on Saturday.