"A big, enormous challenge" - Chris Wilder issues passionate Sheffield United message ahead of Sheffield Wednesday clash | OneFootball

The first Steel City derby of the season takes place on Sunday lunchtime

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has issued a passionate message to the club's supporters ahead of the upcoming grudge match with cross-city rivals, Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.

It is a fixture which needs no introduction to those in the Steel City or supporters of any other Championship side, with this particular derby game being one of the most passionately contested across the entirety of English football.

However, it's fair to say that Sunday's clash in S6 will be full of more emotion than usual, given the bleak events which have transpired at both United and Wednesday within the past few months.

Indeed, just four weeks ago, the Owls were placed into administration by controversial former owner, Dejphon Chansiri, meaning the Hillsborough side were hit with an immediate 12-point deduction, only amplifying the already probable chances of a return to League One for the first time since 2022/23.

United, meanwhile, have also endured a dramatic plight of their own, with Wilder hoping to eventually halt the slide which has followed their play-off final defeat to Sunderland in May.

The 58-year-old is now well and truly in the thick of a third spell in charge at Bramall Lane, albeit the potential trajectory of the club is far different to his previous spells, during which two promotions and a return of Premier League football were achieved, with the Blades also looking at a potential first stint in the third-tier since 2017.

Yet, despite it being rather cliché that form counts for little on derby day, the boyhood Blade will hope three points can be used as a springboard ahead of the following 30 league encounters.

Chris Wilder issues passionate Sheffield United message ahead of Steel City derby

Wilder currently boasts an unbeaten record against the Owls as United boss, which included two 1-0 wins last season, courtesy of winners from Tyrese Campbell and Rhian Brewster.

Despite the quality which runs through his squad on paper, he is yet to fully see them click into gear after returning in September following Ruben Selles' ill-fated six-game reign, which even left cash-strapped Wednesday above the Blades for a brief period.

It is well-documented, though, that Wilder feels the emotion of this fixture more than most on the playing or coaching staff of both sides, and he issued his latest plea to supporters in S2 in the lead-up to the encounter on BBC Radio Sheffield.

“Listen, it's been a difficult start. The disappointment of getting 92 points and not going up, the disappointment and heartache of having a fantastic play-off campaign and then losing in the manner that we did," he said.

“And the situation that happened in the summer and the change. We all thought we’d go again for the next chapter of the journey and it wasn't to be. I like to think that the team's looking more like it should do, with the core values and the non-negotiables that a Sheffield United player has to present to, not just me but to the supporters.

“The running aspect of it, the fighting aspect of it and the playing aspect of it as well. To bring all those three things together. So it's looking more like a Sheffield United team. The biggest compliment I always take from the supporters is that I know that they trust me to send the team out there," Wilder explained.

“I think always the question is: ‘What do you do? What do you need to do?’ Make sure they realise and they recognise. Don't worry about it. They'll recognise and they'll realise. They understand it.

“Whether it's my messages, whether it's the messages of the players that have played in that Steel City derby or the messages of the big players that we've got. We'll be ready. We know the challenge ahead of us is going to be a big, enormous challenge.

“We're taking on a united club, to be fair to them, and we've got to be our best to get a result," the Blades boss added.

Sheffield United will not be underestimating Sheffield Wednesday ahead of Hillsborough showdown

As Wilder mentioned, the unity which has been restored at Hillsborough will only add to the atmosphere and belief amongst Henrik Pedersen's players to achieve a first victory in the Steel City derby since 2012.

Therefore, as is often the case, United cannot afford to underestimate their cross-city opponents, who have recently added to their ranks with the free agent capture of Liam Cooper, whilst his ex-Leeds United colleague, Patrick Bamford, could be in line for a Blades debut after penning a short-term deal of his own.

Those in S2 will be encouraged by the fact Ollie Arblaster, Gus Hamer and Tahith Chong are all available for selection, adding to the difference-makers on show within Wilder's squad if they do play to their maximum.