Sheffield United Boss Reveals He Will Appeal Controversial Decision; Wilder Heaps Praise on Hull City Star | OneFootball

Sheffield United round off their first three-game week of the campaign with a short trip to East Yorkshire, where they’ll face Hull City before Championship action pauses for the international break.

Hull come into the clash buoyed by a spirited fightback last time out. After finding themselves two goals down inside ten minutes against Preston North End, the Tigers rescued a point thanks to former Blades striker Oli McBurnie. The Scot’s brace took his tally to six goals in just eight appearances, underlining the form he has carried into life at the MKM Stadium.

For United, there was frustration in midweek. Having finally claimed their first win of the season away at Oxford United, the Blades looked on course to build momentum when they struck first against Southampton at Bramall Lane. But Will Still’s Saints showed their attacking quality and came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory, with Ross Stewart’s ruthless finishing proving decisive.

The Tigers boast a strong Sheffield United connection, with both McBurnie and John Lundstram signing in the summer. Both have already made a big impact under Sergej Jakirovic, adding experience and quality at this level. Midfielder Regan Slater also remains a key figure, while John Egan’s presence in Hull’s back line adds another layer of Blades history to the fixture.

Chris Wilder Wanted Sheffield United to Sign Oli McBurnie in the Summer

WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Oliver McBurnie of Hull City looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Watford and Hull City at Vicarage Road on September 27, 2025 in Watford, England. (Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)

It was widely reported that United explored a reunion with McBurnie in the summer. The forward even made himself available for a return, but then-manager Ruben Selles opted against pursuing the deal, despite sanctioning Kieffer Moore’s sale to Wrexham.

Current boss Chris Wilder admits that decision could haunt his side. Wilder stated in his pre-match press conference: “He should have a red and white shirt on in my opinion, he was available. There was always talk of Kieffer [Moore] going and we all realise it is horses for courses as well, different ways of playing and different forwards I’ve gone with. We’ve got link players and ones who will stretch the game, but for us a number nine would give us different options.

“I’m a fan, not just as a player but also as a personality. He contributed to our ninth-place finish in the Premier League, he helped get the team back up, got us to a play-off semi-final and FA Cup semi-final. He was a culture setter as a player and as a person and I love him to bits, but unfortunately, he’s not our player, he’s a Hull City player.”

Wilder on Progress Against Saints And Injury Latest

Tyrese Campbell scores the opening goal for Sheffield United against Southampton at Bramall Lane. (Image Credit: Sheffield United Football Club).wilder

Despite defeat against Southampton, Wilder insists his team are edging closer to the standards he expects.

“I want to see a similar performance to the second half at Oxford and much of the game against Southampton. We need to be defensively strong and compact, but also show more control and quality on the ball. The supporters will always back us if we give everything, and I felt they saw that commitment the other night.”

There was some frustration on the injury front, with Wilder confirming a four-to-six week absence for Tahith Chong who has torn meniscus cartilage in his knee, though he added it “could have been worse” and the upcoming break offers valuable recovery time. Ben Godfrey, meanwhile, remains unavailable due to a personal issue.

Blades Boss Opts Against Training Camp Abroad As He Prepares to Put Players Through Their Paces

Wilder confirmed that he has opted against a warm-weather training camp abroad during this upcoming international break, choosing instead to use the period for intense work at Shirecliffe.

“The board and Steve Bettis have been outstanding because they’ve said ‘what do you want to do with them during the international break, shall we go to a camp in Spain and take them away and foster that team spirit?’ I went ‘no, the spirit is there, we need to work hard.’

“We need to work through this period physically, tactically, it’s a real big opportunity for us. I think we’ve got five boys away, so we’ve got a big group to work with. Getting Danny Ings, Ben Mee, the boys that came in late [in the window], the boys that need a nudge up, from a tactical point of view and a physical point of view, we’re working.”

Wilder Set to Appeal Controversial Decision

Of course, as things stand, Wilder will not be in the dugout on Saturday after he picked up a controversial red card against Southampton on Tuesday night. After an eventful yet frustrating first half, the Sheffield United manager ushered his players away from the referee and into the tunnel to avoid any cheap yellow cards.

As Wilder turned around to go down the tunnel, a loose ball flew towards him where he accidentally volleyed it into a spectator in the crowd. Wilder went over to apologise to the supporter and shook his hand. Despite this, as he walked back towards the tunnel, referee Adam Herczeg brandished the red card.

The Blades boss revealed to the media that he will be appealing the decision:

“If I went up to the referee and had a right pop at him, and picked the ball up and booted the ball out my hands at him or at the fourth official, or at their players, or their bench, or into the stand, then I would expect the necessary punish and I won’t appeal. I will appeal because I’ve nonchalantly knocked it back, it’s got a flier, gone into the stand. I apologised to the guy, everything’s all sorted. And then I turned around and got a red card put in my face. I will appeal.”

With Hull looking dangerous and several familiar faces eager to prove a point, this Yorkshire derby is a big test of the Blades’ resilience and they’ll be hoping to put more points on the board before the pause in league action.