Chris Wilder explains why Lys Mousset's Sheffield United season is over

Wilder has a reputation for being hard-nosed and has garnered attention for publicly criticising his players when their standards have dropped, but he would not have been one of the managers of the season without more to his approach.

The 24-year-old Frenchman missed the 1-0 defeat to Everton which ended the Blades' chances of qualifying for Europe to be with his girlfriend and their new-born child, and is not due to report back for Sunday's season-ending trip to Southampton.

“It's been quite a tough time, especially for the young foreign boys in lockdown who've been on their own,” said Wilder of Britain's coronavirus lockdown and the subsequent glut of matches. “We've rallied around them. That was a difficult period, as you can imagine.

“Lys has had a few knocks and niggles and his girlfriend has just given birth to their first child so I made the decision to allow him go home. He's been carrying a few bits and pieces as well.

“I made that decision in consultation with the medical team knowing how difficult it has been for all the young foreign players.

“His girlfriend has just given birth to their first child and I believe that was the correct decision to let him go back.

“He couldn't have gone back when the lockdown was happening and the advice we got from the Premier League and our medical staff about allowing players to go back was quite difficult but it's not been easy for those boys so I made that decision over the last seven days. Lys doesn't come back into it and that really explains that situation.”

The Blades looked tired at the end of a magnificent season in Monday's defeat at home to Everton, with Wilder having used a very settled side this season. Determined to sign off with a victory, the manager will assess who is fit to play at St Mary's.

“We've got a few issues, but we'll assess and try and pick the right team,” he said. “There's a lot of tired bodies out there and there were a few boys carrying knocks and injuries but they're a game bunch and we'll pick a side to hopefully get a result.”

The Blades are guaranteed a top-half finish in their first season back in the Premier League, and could finish eighth with victory.

“I'm a football man and I want to win games of football,” said Wilder. “I want to finish as high as we possibly can.

“The league table doesn't lie and after 38 games we want to be the eighth best team in the division. Liverpool were the best and it was brilliant to see their celebrations this week and we want to be the eighth-best team in the Premier League.

“If we manage that it'll be a remarkable achievement.”

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