Sheffield United: Ollie Arblaster takes Sheffield Wednesday swipe after Steel City derby win | OneFootball

The Blades recorded a crucial victory over their Steel City rivals at Hillsborough on Sunday afternoon

Sheffield United midfielder Ollie Arblaster took to social media at full-time of the Steel City Derby, taking a swipe at Sheffield Wednesday supporters as the Blades secured a crucial three points at Hillsborough.

Chris Wilder's side watched Burnley overtake them in second place for a 21-hour period after the Clarets' 2-0 success at Swansea City, before they reinstated their position in the automatic promotion spots and drew level on points with Leeds United, thanks to Rhian Brewster's second goal of the season.

Arblaster hasn't featured for United since the previous cross-city encounter at Bramall Lane on November 10th, having ruptured his ACL in the first half of the contest.

However, there's no denying how much the 21-year-old enjoyed his boyhood club's 25th win of the Championship season, already basking in the bragging rights after his side secured a league double over their bitter rivals for the first time since 2006.

Ollie Arblaster takes Sheffield Wednesday swipe after Sheffield United win at Hillsborough

Local derbies are always significant meetings, but this particular Steel City Derby was one which was dubbed as potentially season-defining for the Owls and Blades, with Danny Rohl's side also looking to keep up pace with the play-off places after back-to-back away victories against Plymouth Argyle and Norwich City.

However, in what was a cagey and ultimately, low-quality affair in front of goal with only five shots on target mustered between the two sides, Brewster was able to slot into an empty net after 64 minutes after Tyrese Campbell evaded Michael Ihiekwe, with James Beadle left wrong-footed by the striker's deflected low cross.

A one-goal advantage would be enough for Wilder's men, who saw off Wednesday by the same scoreline four months ago, in which the eventually injured Arblaster was involved in a flashpoint with Owls captain Barry Bannan, before eventually undergoing surgery which has kept him sidelined ever since.

However, the man who was previously made the youngest-ever captain of the Blades at the back end of last season, immediately took to his X profile shortly after Andrew Kitchen called time on the encounter in S6, posting an AI-generated picture of the aforementioned Brewster laughing whilst holding up two glasses, which has already garnered plenty of mixed responses from United and Wednesday supporters.

Jack Robinson reacts as Sheffield United edge Steel City Derby

One man who was at the heart of United's resolute defensive effort alongside Michael Cooper, who was on hand to pull off a strong save to deny a strong header from Wednesday's Michael Smith, came in the form of Blades captain, Jack Robinson.

The experienced defender believed that grinding out a result in such a fashion is the hallmark of the current side which Wilder has reformed since relegation, as well as expressing delight for Brewster, who has endured mixed fortunes ever since signing from Liverpool for a club-record fee which could rise as high as £23.5m.

"It's one of our key aspects to see games out like that. The lads have dug it out with the Championship being a hard league, playing Tuesday, Saturday. All credit to the lads it's on them to put us where we are in such a tough league," the 31-year-old stated.

"Made up for him (Brewster), he deserves it, he's a really hard-working lad."

Ollie Arblaster will hope to make Sheffield United return in the Premier League

In the lead-up to the recent 1-1 draw with Bristol City, Wilder was able to provide an update on Arblaster, who had featured in 12 of United's first 15 games of the campaign - seven of which saw him shoulder the captain's armband on top of two goals - before beginning his long-term road to recovery.

"It'll be next season, he's got some hurdles to get over, he's worked extremely hard and been diligent with his work," the 57-year-old said.

"He'll be looking to come back into pre-season, whether it is the first day of pre-season he's back in with the first team, we'll work on that. He has a long summer ahead of him, a lot of work to put in to get himself right for the commencement of the new season."

After excelling on loan with Port Vale, the England youth international went on to make 12 appearances in the top flight despite United's dismal campaign last term.

However, by the time the deep-lying midfielder returns from injury, there is every chance he can add to such a tally, with United now back in the top two heading into the March international break.