Chris Wilder has said Sheffield United need to shake themsleves and raise their performances if they are going to back to winning ways in the Premier League.

The Blades head into the game at Old Trafford after picking up only one point in their two games since the restart of the league, which included their heaviest defeat of the season at the hands of Newcastle United.

Reflecting on the game on Sunday, Wilder told the clubs media: “They accepted the result a bit too easy for me. They understand my feelings.

"We have to shake ourselves, get ourselves back to performances that have produced good results this season.”

  • Wilder acknowledges Manchester United threat

Manchester United currently sit in fifth place, two places and two points ahead of Wilder's side. 

The Red Devils drew 1-1 with fellow European contender Tottenham Hotspur in their only game since the season restarted and it was the first time January signing Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba lined up together.

Wilder has acknowleged the threat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side posed but insists his team needs to the raise their performance levels if they are going to get anything out of the game.

“Whatever team they put out is going to be jam-packed full of quality," he told the clubs media.

"We’ve got to, first and foremost, raise our performances from a disappointing Sunday afternoon at Newcastle.”

  • Wilder reflects on recent performances

Sheffield United were comfortably dismantled by Newcastle United in the second half at St. James' Park on Sunday following John Egan's red card.

The Blades did not look their usual selves and were no where near the high standards they have set themselves over the course of the season.

Wilder has said he will leave it up to supporters to assess their recent performances.

“I’ll let supporters discuss if we’re a disgrace or diabolical and let everybody down," he told the clubs media.

"Or if we’re allowed a performance or two in three years that’s not up to the mark.”

When also talking about Sunday's performance Wilder has admitted he was not happy with his players to how they reacted to going down to ten men and conceding cheap goals.

"I don't want to see them after what happened yesterday and I don't think they want to see me after what I said to them.

"They will know that, I am a demanding manager. I think we can beat the best team in the world on our day. You have to have that attitude and go with that mindset.

"We have Dean who can't play and a couple of injuries but we can't feel sorry for ourselves. Players have to quickly react and recover from disappointment, as they have to throughout their careers.

"You have to overcome disappointments"

  • Team news update

Sheffield United will be without reliable centre back John Egan after he picked up a red card at Newcastle. 

Jack O'Connell has missed the first two games of project restart due to injury and it will be touch and go if he is fit for Wednesday. 

"It's a daily conversation that I have with the medical department" Wilder told the Examiner. 

"As previously stated by someone who wasn't in the know, he was out for the season, he isn't, he's progressing very well.

"I am not going to put it out in the media when he is coming back but we are hoping it will be close and we will see how he goes again today.

Phil Jagielka will also be a tight call if he his fit for Wednesday after picking up a ankle injury in training but Wilder is confident of him featuring at Old Trafford.

"We have another 24 hours to improve Jags, he would have only come on for 10 minutes at Newcastle," he told the Examiner.

"Shows you the player he is, a lot of modern players might not have entertained that.

"Saturday he blocked a shot and turned his ankle over, but I am sure he will be OK."

Sheffield United loanee Dean Henderson will also be ineligible to play on Wednesday due to Manchester United being his parent club, Simon Moore or Michael Verrips are the two keepers in contention to replace him but Wilder is keeping silent on who will be between the sticks.

"I have made that decision, but I am not willing to share that." he told the examiner.

Chris Wilder has also praised Manchester United manager Solkjaer for the handling of the Dean Henderson situation.

“I’ve had a chat with the manager and he’s fine with Dean extending his loan to the end of the season," he told the clubs media.

"I appreciate Ole’s help on that one. Dean’s been great for us and we’ve been great for Dean.”

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