Chris Wilder is annoyed with the Sheffield United fan who leaked the team news for the Premier League trip to Aston Villa.
The two sides kicked off ‘Project Restart’ at Villa Park last night. It ended in a 0-0 draw in their first game in more than three months.
On a frustrating night for the Blades, they were denied a potential winner when the goal-line technology and VAR appeared not to work.
Villa goalkeeper Orjan Nyland seemed to clearly go behind the line holding the ball. Yet referee Michael Oliver was not alerted to a goal by his watch.
VAR didn’t intervene either, leaving United once again on the back of a controversial decision involving the system.
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For Wilder, this came after his team news for the comeback game had been leaked earlier in the day. Both John Fleck and Jack O’Connell were injured, meaning Sander Berge and John Lundstram started in midfield together, while January signing Jack Robinson was handed his first league start.
What Wilder thinks about Sheffield United team news being leaked
(Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
The Blades boss was understandably unhappy that his side’s opponents had been pre-warned about who they would be facing. Especially as the leak apparently came from a United supporter.
“We’re not a Man City or another of these super clubs who can pick a team at quarter to five,” Wilder told BBC Yorkshire journalist, Rob Staton. “We have to work on stuff, we have to organise stuff. Put plans in place to compete.
“That coming out was disappointing. So I thank the Sheffield United fan who thinks he’s helping his football club. Well done, I’m pleased for you.”
It was a rusty return for Wilder’s team, who showed little cutting edge in attack and had goalkeeper Dean Henderson to thank for maintaining a clean sheet with a couple of excellent saves.
Next up is a trip to Newcastle United on Sunday. Wilder will be hoping his selections stay secret into an hour before kickoff this time.
