Scunthorpe United v Sheffield United: McDonald hoping to repay Blades for Wembley

The former Scottish Under-21 international midfielder was turfed out of Turf Moor after heading to a pub midway through a Premier League game against Manchester City.

He had been substituted by manager Brian Laws but opted not to stick around as the Clarets were hammered 6-1 by their Lancashire rivals.

It is 17 months since that infamous breach of club discipline and this summer McDonald signed a one-year deal with the Blades.

Speaking ahead of today’s trip to Scunthorpe United, he said: “I was disappointed with the way things ended for me at Burnley after enjoying every minute of my time there under Owen Coyle.

“But I’m loving it here now and helping to get us back up to the Championship at the end of this season would really top things off.”

McDonald, now 22, had played a key role in helping the Clarets win promotion to the top flight – but subsequently feels he owes the Blades a promotion.

For in order to won promotion, Burnley needed to inflict heartbreak on the Blades in the 2009 Championship play-off final at Wembley.

“Yes, that was mentioned by some of the lads when I came here and I have to be honest and say that day at Wembley was the best of my footballing life so far. Winning promotion to the Premier League – you just can’t beat that.

“But it would mean every bit as much to me getting Sheffield United up. I really want that. All of us here do.”

McDonald believes he has found a manager in Danny Wilson who rates as highly as former Burnley manager Owen Coyle.

”Owen Coyle was different class as a manager for me and the gaffer here is the same,” he said. “It’s all about man-management and, in that respect, they are very alike. They are both quality when it comes to dealing with players but they are also very similar in the way they want their teams to play.

“Their philosophy is for their sides to get the ball down on the deck and play, and that suits me down to the ground.”

The Blades, who are second in the League One table, are looking to end a dismal run of results away at Scunthorpe where they have not won in seven visits since 1959 and have lost on their last three visits.