Chris Wilder says Sheffield United are 'still alive'

Although Sheffield United were unable to follow up their victory at Old Trafford with another at Eastlands, their performance in the 1-0 defeat gives encouragement that they can make a fight of their Premier League survival battle. They remain 10 points adrift of safety.

“No pat on the back for a defeat but I think there's a manner, a body language and an identity," said Wilder, whose team were beaten by a Gabriel Jesus goal.

“It's been a stop-start season for us and the points tally is really disappointing but we've seen over the last two or three weeks just a little bit of a change in us and getting back our identity a little.

“It's something to build on and I think the manager of Man City said he's looking at a team that's alive and I believe we are alive and have got plenty left in us."

Pep Guardiola was full of praise for the Blades, saying: “When you see Sheffield United are bottom of The league you realise why the Premier League is the toughest league in the world.

“I'm proud of the players, it was so, so difficult to win."

Wilder does not expect any changes to his squad ahead of Monday's 11pm transfer deadline.

“I'm not so sure anything will happen at our football club between now and Monday night," he said.

“The players I've got we'll work with.

“It's an incredible challenge in front of us still. I'm not saying just because we've had a couple of decent weeks and a few wins that all of a sudden we're going to race through the next 17, 18 games but and pick up wins let right and centre but I think we've given ourselves an opportunity to do that and make it as uncomfortable as possible for the teams above us and that's all we can do with the group of players we've got."

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