Sheffield United ask Mark McGuinness to bring leadership qualities to Bramall Lane
Mark McGuinness is only 24 years-old but the centre-back says he has been asked to step up and become a Sheffield United leader.
If McGuinness makes his Blades debut in Friday's televised game at Ipswich Town it will be the 191st senior appearance of his career, most in the Championship. Selles is looking for him to bring that knowledge to a squad yet to avoid defeat five games into a new campaign.
"The gaffer wants me to come in and help the boys – use my experience, use my leadership qualities and help the boys to to gel," said the centre-back, who went on loan to Sheffield Wednesday in 2022-23.
"The quality's there, the talent, and the squad is a top-drawer squad.
"Everyone knows the Championship is such a relentless league so it only takes one little turn and we're hoping to make that turn now.
"It (leadership) is something that I'll always do anyway, something I've always taken on and relished. I do enjoy leading. I enjoy being the guy who gets everyone together and it helps me perform.
"It's something that has been in me since I've started playing.
"You need them characters in the group, we've got loads of them here."
With the experience of Ben Mee, Danny Ings and Ben Godrfrey – all late additions too – the Blades should not be short of leaders despite losing Kieffer Moore and captain Jack Robinson.
Asked if his squad was stronger in that respect now, manager Ruben Selles commented: "I would not say improved. I think now it's different.
"The leaders in the dressing room are different than they were when we started because of their profile and the new players and the characteristics that they have.
"The team and the dressing room is always alive and when someone goes, someone comes."
Tahith Chong, Japhet Tanganga and Chiedozie Ogbene provide good Football League experience too, but Selles said it was not something he specifically looked for in this summer’s recruitment drive.
"We have some young, talented players, some players in their prime because of their age, some players that are more experienced but also can help us in the short-term," he explained.
"We addressed it in terms of what the market was, what do we need, and then if they have those leadership abilities, it was just a good addition."
The Spaniard was targeted by the Blades' travelling fans after their last game, a 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough. There are some mitigating circumstances but Selles is yet to have a significant impact since replacing a popular manager.
"I think it's really important everyone gets behind each other, whether that is the manager, the players, everyone around, that everyone buys in and gets on board with what's going on," said McGuinness.
"Once everyone does that, it'll only be a matter of time when things turn and things will really progress and really start to sort of iron out problems and we'll get back on track.
"We've got more than enough ability and I'm really looking forward to seeing where things progress."