Injury-hit Cuvelier's comeback offers welcome boost for Blades

The 23-year-old Belgium midfielder made his long-awaited comeback after a 14-month absence for United in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Port Vale.

His introduction in the 66th minute for Dean Hammond was greeted with cheers of relief at Bramall Lane.

Injury-plagued Cuvelier had not appeared in the red and white of United since defeat at Port Vale, ironically, on Boxing Day, 2014.

The Belgium Under-21 international’s loan move to Burton Albion at the end of last season – where he netted the winner on debut against Hartlepool United – was also cut short due to a hamstring problem.

But after battling his way back into first-team contention, Cuvelier is keen to kick-start his Blades career, starting with Saturday’s League One trip to Rochdale.

“It was great to see Flo come back,” said Blades manager Nigel Adkins. “He’s had a sustained period of training now, but because we’ve got a very big squad it’s been difficult to get him in. But it was good to see him out there because he’s a very talented footballer.

“Flo had a good reputation before we came in. His attitude has been exemplary, he’s an excellent athlete who is very talented on the ball.

“I’ve alluded to how many players we have. If we hadn’t, then he might have got a chance earlier.

“I thought he did really well. We brought him on at a key moment in the game and, for me, it’s all about that trust.

“If you watch how Flo conducts himself every single day on the training ground, to cope with the adversity he’s had, well, it’s fantastic to see someone who has a genuine desire to try and be the very best he can be.”

With just 14 games remaining and a four-point gap to sixth-placed Coventry City to make up if United want to reach the play-offs, Cuvelier’s return could not be more timely.

United opted for a 3-5-2 formation against Vale, employing wing-backs, and pairing Billy Sharp with Che Adams in attack.

It worked well and United should have scored more than Sharp’s 50th-minute winner.

Adkins has to decide whether he sticks with that formation for Saturday’s trip to Rochdale, but insists the style of play is more important than how his team sets up.

“Our endeavour is to keep two strikers up front, build the play and effect the play,” he said.

“We had some good interlinking work and created chances. The goal we scored was from building at the back with Chris Basham, Che Adams and Dean Hammond getting the ball to Billy.

“You could see there was a chemistry between Billy and Che. That was good to see and encouraging.

“I’ve changed the shape because I want to keep the two up top and there are different ways to do that. We decided to go with the two wing-backs and dominate the midfield, dominate the ball more.

“We worked at it on the training ground and I think they performed it well. We’ll keep looking to improve it and it’s another string to our bow.

“You can talk about tactics all you want but it’s about trying to play quick, attacking passing football.

“There’s no right or wrong way but the principles are the same. Show good movement, pass the ball well, calmly and with precision to penetrate those lines.”

Adkins accepts automatic promotion is now beyond United, but believes Saturday’s win has shown the Blades have the character to scrap for a play-off spot.

Defeat would have seen United seven points adrift of the top six and handed more ammunition to a section of Blades supporters unhappy at the club’s progress.

Adkins said: “Character was going to be key. I keep talking about grit and resilience. The players have shown that.

“You could see they were determined to work hard for each other. When they came off, they were visibly shattered.

“That’s two wins in a week from three close games. It’s about taking your chances.

“There was talk coming into the game but you’ve seen a united football club. There’s a genuine desire to see this club do well.

“I thank the fans for sticking by the players but they’ve stuck by each other, they’ve done their part too.

“The play-off position is still within our grasp and we’re at the business end now. We’ve experienced it so I’d like to think we can hold our nerve.”