Rangers boss Steve wild about United’s prospects in battle for Premier League
STEVE McCLAREN rates Sheffield United a safe bet for a top-six finish after watching the Blades blunt his QPR’s impressive run.
Rangers were six games without unbeaten when they arrived at Bramall Lane, but a David McGoldrick header was enough to lift United into second spot.
It was the Yorkshire team’s fourth league win in a row and they now trail leaders Leeds by just four points behind.
And QPR’s former England boss McClaren (right) says it is easy to see why. “You have to take their challenge seriously,” he said. “They always have opportunities because they have goalscorers.
“McGoldrick and Billy Sharp are scoring goals, so if they continue to do that they will be up there for sure.
“They are top six and I expect them to stay there and, who knows in this league, the top two is a real possibility.”
Blades boss Chris Wilder says his players are enjoying the challenge of competing at the top end of the table.
He said: “Steve has managed at the highest level and it’s great people are saying good things about you.
“Our players talk about wanting to achieve and wanting to be in around the top of the division and I’m not going to hide away from their desire and ambition.
“We want to enjoy the situation and enjoy the challenge of winning games in this division.” McGoldrick’s 10th goal of the season was the difference between the sides. He headed home Oliver Norwood’s superb right-wing cross on 37 minutes.
Defender George Baldock says having a strike force with the likes of Sharp and McGoldrick (below) gives the team confidence they can upset the promotion race.
He said: “There’s a lot of teams with bigger resources, but I think we’re proving that means nothing.
“There’s definitely a confidence, an inner confidence. It’s not an arrogance, just a confidence. With Billy, you’ve got one of the best finishers of his generation, as the stats show. “David’s a joy to play with. His technique is phenomenal. I can’t believe he’s not played top-flight football. Leon (Clarke) is a top striker at this level, Conor (Washington) is a real pest for defenders and now there’s Gary (Madine) too.”
SHEFFIELD UNITED: QPR: