McGoldrick is to Sheffield United what Roberto Firmino is to
Liverpool – minus the goals. Seldom, if ever, has a misfiring striker inspired such devotionOf all the special relationships in the
Premier League, the one between Sheffield United and David McGoldrick may just be the most beautiful. The club has, of course, been a delight in many regards this season, sweeping into the top flight with no airs and plenty of grace, defying the expectations of all those hollering experts who thought the Blades were still managed by Neil Warnock.
![David McGoldrick is beloved by Blades despite his lack of cutting edge | Paul Doyle](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/bf6e97fd2dd1c88342c6f17aa6d92efb270861b0/0_114_3040_1824/master/3040.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom%2Cleft&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=5f03cc9ae24cae617d3cedd4ced6420b)
Chris Wilder has expanded the minds not only of people too highbrow to know what goes on in the nether leagues, but also of busy coaches who appreciate creative thinking. Overlapping centre-backs is an innovation that will catch on. But it is McGoldrick’s extraordinary role for Sheffield United that has really raised a smile this season. For who cannot love a striker who is a strong contender to be his club’s player of the season despite not scoring a single goal?