Chris Wilder has hit back at the criticism of David McGoldrick by some Sheffield United fans.
McGoldrick was singled out for missing several scoring opportunities during the 1-0 Premier League defeat to Southampton.
The striker is yet to get his first goal this season since the Blades were promoted back to the top flight.
This is after being named player of the year in 2018/19 for his fine form in the Championship. McGoldrick scored 15 goals as United finished second in the table.
The 31-year-old missed the 2-0 win at Everton with a groin problem picked up while putting in extra work in training the week prior.
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“I’m a little bit concerned that a few people got after him, I’ll be honest,” Wilder told BBC Radio Sheffield.
“Didzy was hurting a little bit, because he knows he needed to add the goals to his all round play. He’s done some extra work on Thursday to tighten himself up and I think that’s the sign of an unbelievable professional.
“I’m not talking about opinions, I’m talking about negative criticism and I don’t think he deserves it for what he did last year.
“Should Dave McGoldrick score last week? Yeah, definitely. He knows that, I know that.
“But we have to make Bramall Lane a fortress for full, 100 percent backing of our players. Period. I hope that puts that to bed.”
David McGoldrick has competition at Sheffield United
(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
While McGoldrick clearly has the support of his manager, his failure to find the back of the net this term does put the Republic of Ireland international behind his teammates.
Of the five forwards in Wilder’s squad, he is the only one not to score so far in 2019/20. Lys Mousset netted the second at Goodison Park to seal victory over the Toffees.
Callum Robinson scored a late equaliser at Chelsea. Meanwhile, club record signing Oli McBurnie got off the mark in the 2-1 defeat to Leicester City.
Finally, captain Billy Sharp scored the Blades’ first goal of the campaign in the opening day 1-1 draw at Bournemouth.
