Record signing Sander Berge reveals the amazing lengths Sheffield United are prepared to go to in order to qualify for Europe
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The Norway international made the admission ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers, which could see Chris Wilder’s team move to within a point of the visitors who have prepared for the match in sixth.
Revealing United will attempt to take the game to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, despite the significance of the fixture, Berge said: “Sheffield United is about being very aggressive and playing on the front foot. We are efficient but we are warriors.
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Hide Ad“People are sacrificing their own health to keep the ball out of our goal. It’s not about playing three passes that look nice. Whether we have 30 per cent possession or 60 per cent possession, we can still win games.”
Berge became the most expensive player in United’s history six months ago, when he completed a £22m move from Belgian club Genk. Aged 22, the midfielder was also being monitored by Napoli before agreeing to join Wilder’s team.
Despite settling quickly in South Yorkshire, Berge admitted he used the enforced three month break due to the Covid-19 pandemic to improve his fitness levels after initially struggling to adapt to the physical demands of English football and a subtle change of position.
“The intensity of the Premier League, I knew it was physical,” Berge said. “But playing as a defensive midfielder in a Belgian side that has 60 to 70 per cent possession in every game to becoming a box to box player, obviously it was more difficult. I make more high intensity runs.
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Hide Ad“The club has been patient and I am patient. I have felt way more comfortable over the past few games. The more game time you get, the more you read the game in the same way as your team mates.”
“I felt very at home in Sheffield from the first minute - with the skipper (Billy Sharp) making a song for me with some fans,” he added. “I am used to playing at clubs that are hard working and humble and this is the best dressing room I have been to by far.
“I still say my opinion, and I think they look at me like a younger brother. Everybody, if you are staff or a fan, it’s like Sheffield United for life.”
Berge is expected to make his 12th appearance for United against Wolves, having scored his first goal for the club during last week’s victory over Tottenham Hotspur. He also put the ball in the back of the net during Sunday’s draw with Burnley, but the effort was disallowed due to an earlier infringement.
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Hide Ad“Everybody wants to contribute to the team,” Berge said. “But the forwards can score goals and we can all score goals. We have a good block, we want to come high up the pitch and put pressure on. “The way we play, everybody comes into the box in normal play."