Former Oxford United, Northampton Town, and Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder will return to Bramall Lane as manager of Middlesbrough, for the first time since his departure from the Blades last season. Undoubtedly he will receive a good reception but the Blades faithful will be vying for three points as they attempt a push for promotion.
On 12th Match 2021, Chris Wilder left Bramall Lane after almost five years in charge of the S2 club. He was initially appointed on 12th May 2016, after he turned down a move to Charlton Athletic. Under his stewardship, the Blades won the League One title at a canter with 100 points in his first season and, in 2019, United celebrated promotion to the Premier League.
Amazingly, they survived their first season and narrowly missed out on a European spot, but a terrible form in their second season saw the Blades flop, and it wasn’t until after the New Year that they registered their first league victory, against Newcastle United. His tenure came to a sticky end, and he left the club after managing 224 games, whilst registering 106 wins, and 47 draws (74 losses). He will forever remain in the hearts of the Blades supporters and brought along happy memories on and off the field.
The Blades and the Boro were initially due to face each other on 1st January, however, the match was postponed due to an outbreak of Covid-19 within the Boro camp.
The Boro come into this fixture in good form and are undefeated in their last eight league home matches. However, in their last six matches, in all competitions, the North East side have won three and lost twice. They have advanced into the Quart-Final Finals of the FA Cup, after beating Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 after extra-time. They host Chelsea in the next round on 19th March. In the Championship, the Reds marched into the top six following a 2-1 victory over Luton Town last Saturday. Goals from Paddy McNair (penalty on 17 minutes), and Duncan Watmore on 87 minutes guided the hosts into a two-goal lead. Harry Cornick netted a scant consolation in injury-time to deny Boro of a clean sheet.
The game at Bramall Lane will see former Sheffield United player and boss, Chris Wilder, return to the dugout since his departure, which undoubtedly will spark mixed emotions for the home faithful. The visitors are expected to be without defender Marc Bola (knee), and midfielder Marcus Browne (ACL), through injury ahead of their clash at Sheffield United.
The Blades woeful record at Middlesbrough continued when these two teams last met on 28th September as a rainy trip to the Riverside once again ended in defeat for the Blades, losing 2-0, and ending United’s five league match unbeaten run. First-half goals from Duncan Watmore (on 9 minutes), curling home past Olsen, and Paddy McNair (on 39 minutes) was enough to inflict defeat on the Blades who failed to tally a shot of target until the last quarter of the game. The last time the Blades won at the Boro was in 1997, they have also failed to score in their last six outings at the Riverside. Phil Jagielka’s penalty on New Year’s Day, 2007, was the last player to score at Boro.
However, United’s record at home to Middlesbrough is better; having won their last two consecutive matches at Bramall Lane. The last time that Boro tasted victory in S2 was on 9th April 2011, en-route to the Blades relegation from the Championship.
Since then both clubs have parted company with their respective coaches and appointed new ones. On 7th November, former Sheffield United boss, Chris Wilder, was appointed Middlesbrough boss after another former Blade, Neil Warnock departed the Riverside. On 25th November, Paul Heckingbottom was recruited from Under-23’s coach to take up the vacant manager’s position, following Slavisa Jokanovic’s exit.
Last 6 Matches
09.04.2011 – Sheffield United 1-2 Middlesbrough (Championship)
12.08.2017 – Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
10.04.2018 – Sheffield United 2-1 Middlesbrough (Championship)
07.08.2018- Middlesbrough 3-0 Sheffield United (Championship)
13.02.2019 – Sheffield United 1-0 Middlesbrough (Championship)
28.09.2021 – Middlesbrough 2-0 Sheffield United (Championship)