'Destroyed' - The two Sheffield United players who earned Chris Wilder's praise as Middlesbrough are hammered

The Blades were stunning on the night, winning 4-1 and racing into a two-goal lead with two in two minutes midway through the first half thanks to Sander Berge and Billy Sharp.

Then it was Jack Robinson’s turn before Morgan Gibbs-White scored the fourth in the second half, a truly incredible back-heel flick, either side of former Blades target

Folarin Balogun latchig onto a slip by Wes Foderingham.

It was no more than Gibbs-White deserved for a man-of-the-match display.

Unsurprisingly for Wilder it was Sharp and Gibbs-White who stood outwith the front pairing ripping apart Boro’s defence.

MORE – Wilder's honest verdict on unhappy homecoming to Bramall Lane

“Sharp and Gibbs-White destroyed our three,” admitted Wilder. “Their two forwards had too much movement and too much energy and their midfielders won that department.

“They stepped on the gas and from a physical point of view, we got out-muscled and out-run. I didn’t think we were brave enough on the ball.

MORE – What Heckingbottom said about big win over Boro

“Nowhere near what I expect, and we have produced, and I hope it’s a one-off. I take no positives out of tonight.

“We didn’t have one player who came out of that with a positive. We didn’t have any foot-hold in the game. We have to take it on the chin.”

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