It is support which has underpinned United’s success all season, and boss Chris Wilder has called on his fellow Blades to pack Bramall Lane on Monday night to help his side’s quest for play-off semi-final success.
United hold a 3-0 lead from the first leg against Bristol City, but Wilder has been in the game long enough to know the job is far from complete, asking United’s supporters to come down in numbers to create a special atmosphere which has so often made a difference to his side.
Wilder said: “Giving us that push at this time, and that energy - I've experienced it as a player - you run faster, jump higher and play with that freedom. I've tried to make the shirt as light as possible all season, the supporters are the main people to make that shirt light since 2016, and you've seen what effect the punters have on the players. The players love playing at Bramall Lane and I do think they deserve that atmosphere and full house because of their efforts so far this season.”
Despite a handy lead in the tie, Wilder knows just how quick things can turn in the Championship, and he, and his players, will approach the game with the same professional and determined attitude which has served them well all season.
He added: “I just feel our general approach to football and our attitude is that you have to earn the right to go and win games of football. We're going to have to do that on Monday night. Never take anything for granted, one action can define a game, so we really have to be consistent in everything we have done. We're in a fabulous position, I'm not mugging anyone off by going down another route, we have put ourselves in a great position, we've given ourselves an opportunity to go and finish the job and we need to go and do that.”