SHEFFIELD United manager Chris Wilder had warm words for former club Middlesbrough, their head coach Kim Hellberg and star turn Hayden Hackney after his side's 2-1 Championship reverse - and insists he enjoyed his time on Teesside, despite it coming to an abrupt end in October 2022.

Wilder spent less than a year at Boro after being appointed in November 2021 before being sacked early on in 2021-22 after a difficult start to the campaign.

Boro did hit the heights during periods of his time in charge, most notably in an excellent FA Cup run which saw them shock Manchester United and Spurs, but his relationship with some fans soured after he was heavily touted with jobs at Bournemouth and then Burnley.

Despite the way that his time at the Riverside ended, Wilder reiterated that there are no hard feelings.

Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg greets Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

placeholder image — Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg greets Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder ahead of the Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

He said: "Like I said, you get the noise and the narrative. I've said all along that I had a great 11 months up there.

"I'm really disappointed that it didn't work out in the way it should be.

"As I said before, mistakes were made on my part 100 per cent at the time. When Riley (McGree) scored, they signed Riley (when I was there) and some good players. It's a good football club, so I'm not surprised in the journey.

"I like the manager. We invited him in and he came in afterwards and was very humble and spot on. There's a lot of connections in there.

Sheffield, England, 9th February 2026. Chris Wilder manager of Sheffield United and Alan Knill assistant coach of Sheffield United during the Sheffield United vs Middlesbrough Sky Bet Championship match at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture credit should read: Simon Bellis / Sportimage

"Hayden was in and around the group while I was there and really got his opportunity and blossomed into the player that he is. As I said, he's an outstanding midfield player.

"We like our midfield players. Obviously the two that we brought in (Kalvin Phillips and Joe Rothwell) and Sydie Peck's done well and Blaster (Ollie Arblaster) off the back of a 13-month absence.

"But when we look at standout midfield players and overall standout players in the division, for me there's nobody better than Hayden. "