Oli McBurnie could tear Sheffield United apart after ‘scary’ Chris Wilder comment
Sheffield United have to face their former striker Oli McBurnie when they take on Hull City in the Championship on Saturday.
The Blades sit bottom of the second tier, while boss Chris Wilder is facing a touchline ban for kicking a ball at a spectator during his side’s defeat to Southampton on Tuesday, 30 September.
Wilder’s return to the Bramall Lane dugout has not been a positive one, as he has suffered two defeats in three Championship games.
Meanwhile, Ruben Selles was sacked after enduring five consecutive defeats, leaving the 58-year-old with a demoralised squad to try and pick up.
Oli McBurnie is set to deepen Chris Wilder’s problems at Sheffield United
After Sheffield United re-appointed Wilder, Manchester United have been backed to re-hire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in a move that would emulate the Blades.
However, the Bramall Lane boss is facing an increasingly uphill battle in guiding the South Yorkshire club towards a promotion battle.
Sheffield United‘s current relegation form will likely be worsened by their former star McBurnie, who has scored five goals in his last four Championship appearances.
Only Coventry City hotshot Haji Wright has scored more second-tier goals, with seven, than the 29-year-old’s return of six this term.
Meanwhile, Wilder’s men have the worst goal difference in the Championship, conceding 15 and scoring just three.
What Oli McBurnie has said about Chris Wilder ahead of Championship clash
McBurnie previously helped fire Sheffield United to promotion by scoring 13 goals in the 2022/23 second-tier season.
| Oli McBurnie in Championship 2025-26 | Stats |
| Appearances | 7 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Expected goals (xG) | 3.35 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Expected assists (XA) | 0.49 |
The 29-year-old went on to notch six goals for the Bramall Lane club during the 2023/24 Premier League campaign.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Post on Wednesday 1 October, McBurnie spoke about the impact of Wilder’s touchline ban: “I think it will be a miss for them, if I am honest. Having the gaffer there, he’s scary and makes you run more.
“I’m a bit disappointed because I would have liked him to be there as well. I didn’t see what happened, but it didn’t look too much of a red card to me. But that’s the gaffer; he’s on the edge, but the best at the motivation side of it.“