Sheffield United vs Preston North End

UTB 15
EMOTIONAL MOMENT FOR OLI
Oli McBurnie admitted the
ovation he received from the
Blades fans following United’s
promotion winning game against West
Brom was an ‘emotional moment’.
United’s number nine produced
another gutsy display leading the line for
the Blades with his contribution not going
unnoticed by the fans who gave him a
standing ovation when he was replaced
by Billy Sharp during the second half at
Bramall Lane.
Oli revealed the response from the
30,000 plus inside the Lane was a
moment he’ll never forget after United
secured a return to the Premier League
following a two-year absence.
Oli said: “It was incredible, the fans
were beautiful. To give them that
experience, and to share that experience
with them is something I’ll never forget for
the rest of my life.
“The fans have been so good to me
over the last few years through ups and
downs, they’ve stuck with me the whole
time. It was a little bit emotional coming
off to that ovation, for them to give me
that reception was a great feeling.”
On the game itself, Oli admitted there
was a tinge of relief to ensure promotion
was secured before this weekend’s
game against Preston, and lauded the
Blades’ patience after a tough first
45 minutes against a well-organised
Albion side.
He added: “There was a mixture of
relief as well, getting it done tonight was
a big thing not letting it drag over the
coming weeks.
“The boys showed what we have done
so many times this year, when we are not
PLAYER FOCUS
at our best, finding a way to win against a
team who were hard to break down.
“The gaffer told us we were in the
game, but we hadn’t really started in the
first half. We had so much more to give
and sometimes it takes a mistake from
the opposition. I think a lot of it is down
to our press, we set it up to try and nick
the ball, we have done it so many times
this year. Ili then shows a bit of quality and
then Sander kicks it into the ground, and
it bounces over the defender. We’ll take
them all day long!”
▲ Oli McBurnie hailed the support of the fans following promotion
SHEFFIELD UNITED vs PRESTON NORTH END