Blades face one Heck of a fight to hold on to Berge
PAUL HECKINGBOTTOM’S best bit of business at Sheffield United this summer might just be keeping Sander Berge at Bramall Lane.
The Norway international gave a midfield masterclass which had him looking a cut above the Championship as the Blades plot a return to the Premier League.
After United’s first win of the season, sealed with early goals from Iliman Ndiaye and Berge, Heckingbottom again had to fend off questions about interest in his star man.
Keeping Berge, 24, beyond the end of the transfer window certainly holds the key to their promotion prospects.
Heckingbottom said: “Performances like that from Sander just back up what I say about him needing to stay.
“He was just playing a different game.
“Yes, he scored a goal but he also made a great recovery run in the first half. They’re matchwinning moments.”
Lionesses star Alex Greenwood was introduced to the 27,738 crowd before kick-off along with her boyfriend Jack O’connell, the injured Blades defender.
Greenwood came on as a sub in last month’s 4-0 Euros semi-final win over Sweden at Bramall Lane.
United’s form there has been formidable under Heckingbottom and they needed just seven minutes to find the net.
Wes Foderingham’s long punt upfield evaded the Millwall defence and Ndiaye, who recently made his Senegal debut, showed impressive pace and strength to drive home a fierce right-foot shot low past Bartosz Bialkowski.
He almost had a second soon after when his effort was deflected narrowly wide after excellent work by Anel Ahmedhodzic making an impressive debut.
Ahmedhodzic then manoeuvred his way into the penalty area and saw his effort well saved from a tight angle before blazing the rebound over.
United were playing with a swagger and doubled the gap in the 22nd minute.
John Fleck’s deft pass slipped in Berge and he advanced beyond a leadenfooted Millwall backline to round Bialkowski and rifle home left-footed.
United should have made it 3-0 when Rhian Brewster was brought down but Oli Norwood, who missed in last season’s play-off semifinal penalty shootout defeat to Nottingham Forest, saw his spot-kick saved by the Pole.
Chances grew scarce during the second half as Millwall refused to throw in the towel but United saw the game out comfortably.
Lions boss Gary Rowett said: “They have got really good players and you look at someone like Sander Berge, who’s worth
£20-odd million.
“Our second-half performance was much better and, while we didn’t create too many obvious opportunities, I was pleased with our response.”
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Foderingham 6; Ahmedhodzic 7, Egan 6, Clark 6; Baldock 6, Norwood 6, Fleck 7 (Osborn (72) 6), Norrington-davies 6; Berge 8, Ndiaye 7 (Jebbison (67) 6); Brewster 6 (Sharp (67) 6)
MILLWALL: Bialkowski 7; Cresswell 6, Wallace 6, Cooper 6, Mcnamara 6, Mitchell 6, Shackleton 6, Malone 6; Bennett 6, Saville 6 (Burey 81); Bennett 6 (Olaofe 80), Afobe 6
STAR MAN: Sander Berge. The Norway midfielder showed his class with a neatly-taken goal.
REF: D Coote