Manager Chris Wilder reflected on a highly-emotional afternoon which saw tributes paid to former player George Baldock as Sheffield United beat Stoke 2-0 at Bramall Lane.
Goals either side of the break from Kieffer Moore and Tyrese Campbell gave the home side victory following back-to-back defeats.
David Bowie’s ‘Starman’ – the song associated with Baldock – was played as Wilder gathered his players and staff after the final whistle.
They all stood in a circle on the pitch and the late player’s number two shirt was held aloft by some of his former team-mates as they walked round the pitch.
In the post-match press conference, a visibly emotional Wilder said: “We got the balance right off the pitch, got the balance right on the pitch.
“We needed to get that performance right and I believe we did. We controlled possession, we played really well.
“They played with freedom, they played with belief and personality and courage and that allowed them to dominate a dangerous outfit. Stoke are a team that’s well coached, with some good players.
“We had to make sure that emotionally we were spot on today and controlled our emotions and played in the way we wanted to play today.
“We had to get that right, that was the biggest thing. The biggest message to the players that we had to take it out of it and and we did.
“I thought the players were outstanding. We’re really proud of the players.
“They had a couple of chances so it would have been interesting but we managed to keep a clean sheet so I’m delighted with the players.
“It’s been the toughest two weeks, personally, from my time being in football since I was 16, really, so that’s the impact of it all. And for the players as well and staff and just even people in our canteen or people that saw someone every day.
“Then you chuck in two really difficult away games. Whenever it would have been, it would have been difficult to go and get a result at Leeds.”
Stoke manager Narcis Pelach had no complaints about the result and admitted they lost to the better side.
He said: “We knew that was going to be a tough test for us.
“Sheffield United away, coming back from the Premier League, very good players, good coach. We knew that was going to be hard but we always believed we could do something here.
“The first goal comes too quick, deflection after a free-kick. You cannot really control that but I think the team was organised, solid, with one extra man in defence in order to protect ourselves more.
“But you are not going to have many chances, so you have to take your moments in the game. We didn’t, so Ashley Phillips, Lewis Koumas, these two had big chances. Ashley Phillips had another one from a free-kick.
“You have to be clinical because you are not going to have many chances against Sheffield United away. They were solid. I expected them to be strong in duels, second balls, and I think they were better than us.
“Disappointed for us because there are moments in the game we can link better and we didn’t even have the chance to see the chance because we don’t do the last or the previous pass well.
“We couldn’t even see the speed of Lewis and Tom Cannon in the first half because we didn’t link the transition.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Neuer vs Auckland City Fabrizio Romano when asked about the Ballon d'Or. lol Oh no This Rayan X Cherki They knew he wouldn’t save it …Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, FootballWTF247, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC, MaguireSkills)...
Paris Saint-Germain had arguably the most dominant Champions League final win in the tournament's history.Beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the Munich final, it is a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.With a core of exciting young players, this PSG side could dominate Europe for years.The city of Paris finally has a European champion, and their team is expected to go from streng...
Xabi Alonso during a Real Madrid training sessionLiverpool defender Ibrahima Konate is supposedly being eyed up by Real Madrid ahead of next summer, as the Spanish giant's new transfer policy takes shape.According to MARCA, Real Madrid is lining up a move for Konate, but only if his Liverpool contract runs down to the point of expiration in 2026. It is also hoping to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly from A...
The Italian champs laid down the law to Manchester rivals City and United over deals for their exiled wingers.Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summerAlejandro Garnacho is like to depart Old TraffordUnited want £70m for Garnacho but are yet to receive an offer for the 20-year-old Argentina international.However, City will be prepared to accept a fee of around £45m for Grealish, 29...
Arteta makes transfer decision on Arsenal defensive duoArsenal boss Mikel Arteta has reached the decision over the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Riccardo Calafiori, with the defensive duo finding themselves on AC Milan's radar.Man Utd eye Atalanta goalkeeper Carnesecchi to replace OnanaThe Red Devils have set their sights on Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi as they continue their quest to...
Spain v France - UEFA Nations League 2025 Semi-finalRayan Cherki has laid out his ambitions after joining Manchester City and has set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or. WHAT HAPPENED?New Manchester City signing Cherki has already set his sights on winning the Ballon d'Or at his new club, with the young attacking midfielder sharing his ambition of following in the footsteps of fellow team-mate ...
Athletic Club v Rangers FC - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second LegAthletic Club have sent a warning to Barcelona over their pursuit of Nico Williams telling La Blaugrana to meet the player's release clause. FBL-EUR-C3-ATHLETIC BILBAO-ROMAWHAT HAPPENED?The seemingly never-ending transfer saga between Williams and La Blaugrana took another turn this week, as representatives of Athletic...
Southampton FC v Aston Villa FC - Premier LeagueMarcus Rashford has been training in Spain to build up his fitness ahead of a potential transfer as Barcelona track the Manchester United outcast.WHAT HAPPENED?Rashford is training in Marbella during the post-season in an attempt to be fit and raring to go for the 2025-26 campaign. The England international is facing an uncertain future, with United ...
Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United - UEFA Europa League Final 2025Ange Postecoglou has been approached by Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli and is considering their offer after being sacked by Tottenham.WHAT HAPPENED?Postecoglou is considering an approach from Al-Ahli as he weighs up his next move after being sacked by Tottenham. The Sun claim the Saudi Pro League outfit have offered the Greek-Austral...
AFC Bournemouth v Everton FC - Premier LeagueBournemouth midfielder Ryan Christie went on a spending spree with his partner Georgina Bell, purchasing six properties in Glasgow in one day.WHAT HAPPENED?A report from The Sun reveals that Bournemouth midfielder Christie recently expanded his property empire by going on a seven-figure spending spree, purchasing as many as six flats in Glasgow in one d...
- 1 PSG vs Atletico Madrid Prediction 16 June 2025
- 2 Laura Woods gives update on post-pregnancy body
- 3 Chloe Kelly enjoys sun-kissed holiday as Arsenal star rests before Euro 2025
- 4 Jack Grealish set to leave Man City this summer
- 5 Tottenham make 'mega £70m bid for Bryan Mbeumo' as Man Utd fear hijack
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Daily Laugh - Liverpool are spending big
- 8 Portugal and France play out draw to start U21 Euro campaign
- 9 Baldanzi scores winner as Italy beat Romania to start U21 Euros
- 10 Man Utd ANNOUNCE Matheus Cunha's arrival