Ipswich Town, Luton won’t be shocked by Sheffield United trend - but Sheffield Wednesday will | OneFootball

There's one Blades man who holds a mixed reputation at many EFL clubs

Ipswich Town and Luton won't be shocked by a trend happening with a certain Sheffield United man, but Sheffield Wednesday will be.

Said player is centre-back Mark McGuinness, who has certainly become a talking point at Blades this season.

The 25-year-old Irish defender joined the second South Yorkshire club of his career - United - from the Hatters on deadline day last year. He arrived with lots of Championship experience but a mixed reputation from previous spells at many of the above teams.

And it seems as though this mixed reputation is continuing...

What Chris Wilder has said about Mark McGuinness at Sheffield United

United's boss, Chris Wilder, has shown faith in McGuinness recently despite his early struggles. Disregarding Saturday's games, after being an unused substitute for nine consecutive games starting from 3rd February, McGuinness has featured in his last five matches for the Blades.

"Mark got put back into the team because we felt we needed to change the team around," Wilder said on the player’s return.

"I think he’s been really good in those couple of games. He did everything he had to do at Bristol City and then it was a difficult afternoon against Oli Mac (McBurnie). He’s done enough in training, good personality and character so he’s in the team on merit. He’s under contract for another 2 or 3 years."

Back in October, FLW’s Blades Fan pundit, Jimmy from Blades Ramble, said, "I think he's [McGuinness] an okay signing. I don't think he's a great Championship defender; I think he's an okay Championship defender. He’s been steady. There are certain qualities that he brings that improves us."

Considering the fact that McGuinness shone at Steel City rivals Wednesday, albeit in League One, Owls fans will be surprised he's yet to become the star they thought he could be.

After playing 24 times at Hillsborough and winning the club's player-of-the-month award in consecutive months, McGuinness was recalled from his loan spell by Cardiff.

Jimmy added, "I think he's very good aerially. He’s a big, imposing presence at the back. But he's quite slow as well, so you need to counter that with others around him that are a little bit more mobile.

"We've got that in [Japhet] Tanganga. So, it's certainly not been a bad signing for Sheffield United, we needed someone in that position. But has he blown me away? No, he hasn't. Yeah, I'm yet to be sold on him, to be honest."

According to Capology estimates, McGuinness' earns £25k-per-week at Sheffield United, which may be a shock for some to find out.

Ipswich Town and Luton saw mixed reviews coming for Mark McGuiness

Ultimately, Ipswich Town and Luton won’t be surprised that McGuinness is dividing opinion at Sheffield United this season - and may even hold the same view on the defender as Jimmy.

This is because the one-cap Republic of Ireland international made 25 appearances on loan at the Tractor Boys in 20/21, four years before arriving at Kenilworth Road. Yes, he got Man of the Match on his debut for Ipswich against Gillingham all those years ago, but they only finished ninth in League One that season.

His move to Luton in 2024 came after the Hatters' relegation from the Premier League, with the deal reportedly worth up to £10m including add-ons.

Yet, at Luton, the towering centre-back endured a tough debut campaign at Kenilworth Road, featuring in 44 Championship games and scoring three as the Hatters shockingly dropped into League One.

Blades team 'on merit'.