Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville says that manager Christ Wilder and his Sheffield United side deserve all the plaudits that come their way this season.

The TV pundit thinks the Blades have gone about things the right way, having opted to keep the core of their Championship team together, whilst not spending lavish amounts of money on new signings:

“It’s a great story, and I think that we want to see that. The idea that sometimes teams get criticised in the Premier League for spending money, sometimes teams get criticised for not spending money.”

“But then there are clubs come up sometimes that just feel like they’re doing you right, and it feels like Sheffield United are doing it right.”

“They’re believing quite a bit in the players from last season, the manager obviously, it’s working well, and I have to say that they’re a great watch as well. It’s a good story, I hope it continues.”

United find themselves in fifth place after 18 games, leaving some supporters dreaming of a finish in the European places.

Their win against Brighton on Saturday means they are now unbeaten in their first nine matches away from home; the only other team who can match that achievement is runaway leaders Liverpool.

Wilder has been quick to dampen down expectations about what they might achieve this season, and he wants his players to focus on a game by game basis. However, the first half of the campaign has gone better than anyone could have hoped for.