Brooks starred for Sheffield United in Sunday’s Steel City clash at Hillsborough.
Chris Wilder has explained why Sheffield United haven’t been playing David Brooks.
Brooks turned in a man of the match display against United’s local rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday, as the Blades came away from Hillsborough 4-2 winners.
But much to the surprise of many neutrals watching, it was only the 20-year-old’s second ever start in the Football League.
After an impressive pre-season, many United fans were keen to see Brooks thrown into their side at the start of the new campaign, but they – like him – have had to wait patiently for his chance to come.
“He was with us last year, he was involved, and people talked about it at the end of the season – about chucking him and getting him a few games,” the 50-year-old said. “But I thought the players who’d got us into that position deserved to play in those glamour games.
“But we always knew there was something about him. His temperament’s first class and he’s had a great pre-season and he’s been knocking on the door.”
Brooks also shone for England at the Toulon Tournament earlier this year – at which he was named the best player – and is said to have attracted interest from Premier League Everton off the back of that.
It’s plausible then, that Wilder deliberately chose to wait until after the transfer window had closed to play him, fearing an approach may have materialised.
For how long can Sheffield United hold on to Brooks?
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