Chris Wilder’s fresh Oli McBurnie revelation will sting for Sheffield United - Ruben Selles made a serious error | OneFootball

The Scottish international is set to face his former club on Saturday lunchtime

It has been a disastrous start to the season for Sheffield United, with Chris Wilder unable to immediately turn around the club's fortunes following his third appointment in the Bramall Lane dugout.

The Blades' plight after losing the Championship play-off final to Sunderland has been well-documented, with the 57-year-old and his successor and, ironically, predecessor, Ruben Selles, making several changes to the squad whilst enduring the worst possible six-game reign.

Wilder has gone on record since his reappointment stating that his players are distinctly lacking in fitness levels, as well as that the task at hand may be even greater than first anticipated.

His frustrations clearly reached an early boiling point in midweek against Southampton when, after the awarding of a controversial penalty for the visitors - which Adam Armstrong blazed wide - he was spotted launching a ball into the stands and was subsequently shown a red card.

United then saw their 1-0 lead through Tyrese Campbell slip courtesy of a seven-minute double by Ross Stewart before another contentious decision to rule out a last-gasp Sydie Peck equaliser, meaning the Steel City side will look to take out their frustration on a Hull City side who mounted a second-half comeback against Preston North End at the MKM Stadium.

There have been plenty of dramatic encounters and unexpected twists that have unfolded when these two Yorkshire sides meet, with the biggest one this time around seeing the Tigers' summer recruit, Oli McBurnie, firmly in the spotlight.

With the Scot starting his Hull spell in a rich vein of form, Wilder's pre-match comments will only increase the animosity shown by those at Bramall Lane towards the aforementioned Selles.

Sheffield United passed up Oli McBurnie reunion opportunity - supporters will be frustrated

McBurnie spent four years in S2 after signing for £17m from Swansea City in 2019, enduring mixed fortunes in front of goal, yet becoming somewhat of a cult hero with supporters for his work rate and commitment to the cause.

After scoring 29 times in 159 appearances for United, which included 15 strikes in the 2022/23 season which ended in automatic promotion and an FA Cup semi-final vs Manchester City, the Leeds-born man spent a beneficial season in La Liga with Las Palmas despite suffering relegation.

Yet, with a relegation clause in his contract allowing for clubs to secure his services on a free transfer, United were unable to strike an agreement alongside the likes of Swansea, Birmingham City and Ipswich Town, with Hull confirming the capture days before the beginning of the season.

United supporters have become accustomed to mishaps in recent times, with Selles taking the vast majority of the blame for on-pitch matters after seeing his side score just once in five league games under his management - a figure which could have been improved if McBurnie was among their ranks from the off, which Wilder believes should be the case.

"He should have a red and white shirt on in my opinion. He was available, there was always talk with Kieffer (Moore) and Kieffer going, we all realise horses for courses and different forwards I've always gone with - link players in Callum (O'Hare) and Gus (Hamer), stretch players in terms of Tyrese, but always for us a number 9 in the building will give us the different options," the Blades boss stated.

"I would've always been looking for a number 9 and Oli was available, he's somebody who I'm in contact with regularly, I'm a fan of him as a player and a personality."

"There's always criticism of Oli by certain really small sections of our support, which I feel there is criticisms of everybody by small sections of our support, but the contribution he made to the 9th placed season, getting the team to a playoff semi final, getting the team back up, getting the team to an FA Cup semi final, contributions as a culture setter in the changing room as a player and a person," he added.

I know Steve Bettis tried to get him in and he offered to the manager off his own back to come in preseason and show what he had but there wasn't an enthusiasm for that to happen and he had Ipswich Town and other options to go to and Hull City made him a deal that he wanted to take.

"I'm sure, and I'm not being disrespectful to Hull, but the affinity and affection he has for this club, for him to want to come in preseason and do basically a trial to see what he's about I think shows his desire to come here. But that's gone and we're seeing what he's doing now," Wilder stated.

Oli McBurnie could give Sheffield United serious transfer regret with Hull City

Many United supporters have been left scratching their heads since the beginning of the season, with their side's collective struggles and McBurnie's individual form since moving to the MKM Stadium at a complete contrast.

Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic has continuously waxed lyrical about the character references and attributes pinpointed by Wilder when the 17-time international is on the pitch and at his best.

Prior to Haji Wright's double for Coventry City at Millwall on Wednesday, McBurnie topped the goalscoring charts for a 24-hour period after his double against another former Blades boss, Paul Heckingbottom, turning home another two Ryan Giles assists exquisitely.

The experienced figure has shown that he is way more than an archetypal 'target forward', dropping deep on occasions which has brought Hull's full-backs and wingers into play, with the service of his seven goals in all competitions coming from left-back or Cody Drameh.

McBurnie has also turned provider on three occasions, and he, alongside ex-Blades John Egan and John Lundstram, will hope to deepen their wounds this weekend.