SHEFFIELD United manager Chris Wilder praised former club Middlesbrough after his side’s 2-1 home reverse at Bramall Lane – and labelled them as the best side who his team have faced so far this season in his third spell at the club.

United, seeking a seventh win in eight home Championship matches – which would have moved them within five points of sixth-placed Wrexham – certainly played their part in a hugely entertaining encounter with Boro, who were aiming for a victory to move them to the top of the table.

A goal in the final quarter from ex-Boro man Patrick Bamford got United back in it after they trailed 2-0 at the break.

Goals from Tommy Conway and Riley McGree put the visitors in the box seat and while the Blades had their chances in the opening half, they were overrun in midfield at times against the excellent visitors.

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

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

After Bamford gave the Blades a lifeline, the game took another twist when interval substitute Joe Rothwell, on his debut, saw red for a wild challenge on Alan Browne, which Wilder had no issue with.

Wilder said: "I thought they were the better team. They are the best team that we've played so far this season, in my opinion.

"We always felt we were just half a yard off of it and didn't really commit to the press.

"Once we got the press right, with the first pass out, we just turned it over too easily and allowed them to come at us.

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.

"So, their shape caused us problems. We never really handled it.

"We didn't play narrow enough on the sides and didn’t make them play on the outside of us, and they're a good team.

"That's the reason they've got the result. They've had key moments.

"The second goal was a really poor goal from our point of view.

"We had our moments. But their second goal was a big moment.

"We had chances early on. Pat (Bamford) has had a chance, Gus (Hamer) has had a chance and we started off on the front foot.

"It was a really open and entertaining game, I should imagine, for everybody watching it. It was a game of basketball.

"Pat scores to get us back in it at 2-1. Ty (Campbell) has a great chance. And then, obviously, the sending off puts us on the back foot."

On the dismissal, Wilder, who also handed a debut from the bench in the second half to Kalvin Phillips, added: "Joe's extremely disappointed about that. I don't think there's any argument about the challenge.

"It's a big night for them and it's just a bit of a reality check for us. I thought we were a little bit off of it.

"If you lose with the ball against good players, and they've got some good players, then they dictate and control the game.

"Getting on the pitch was great for Kalvin and and us and even Joe, but he's really disappointed. It’s a bit frustrating, it might be a bit of frustration from a longer period when he hasn't played.”