Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has admitted the injury to Oli McBurnie is worse than first thought.
Wilder said McBurnie was “touch and go” to play against Manchester United on Thursday night and duly missed the 3-2 defeat at Bramall Lane.
After the match, the Blades boss gave a fitness update on his striker.
“He wasn’t close. He hasn’t trained this week. We’ll look at him in the next 24/48 hours,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.
“It’s not going to be long-term. I think he’s going to be touch and go for the weekend, but he’ll definitely be back for the Boxing Day game here.
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“Hopefully he’ll be available for selection Sunday.”
United coped despite Oli McBurnie injury
Even without McBurnie, the Blades actually gave a good account of themselves against Man United.
It was, of course, a 12th defeat in 13 Premier League games. A result which means, with just one point, they have now made the worst start in English top flight history.
Yet it was also the first time this season they have scored two goals in a game. David McGoldrick bagged both at either end of the 90 minutes to take his 2020/21 tally to five.
It means McGoldrick has already exceeded last term’s total and their was definitely more zip to the Blades attack.
They finished with the 33-year-old playing in a front three with Rhian Brewster and Lys Mousset as they chased an equaliser.
With Oli Burke starting and Billy Sharp also on the bench, there are plenty of attacking options with or without McBurnie.
The Scotland international does offer something unique to the team as a target man and obviously Wilder would prefer to have him available for Sunday’s trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.
However, if McBurnie doesn’t make it – which seems likely – then there was enough on show against the Red Devils to suggest there are improvements in the final third.
