The Cardiff boss – and ex-Blades manager – says Madine was crucial in getting the Bluebirds promoted from the Championship last season.
Neil Warnock has claimed that Cardiff City would have not been promoted to the Premier League last season without the efforts of Gary Madine, who has joined Sheffield United on loan until the summer.
The 28-year-old striker moved to the Bluebirds from Bolton Wanderers last January but his prolific form with the Whites did not translate to his new club, failing to get on the scoresheet in 19 appearances for them, as seen on Transfermarkt.
Despite his barren run, Cardiff did not suffer too much as they still clinched promotion from the Championship last time out, finishing second behind Wolverhampton Wanderers and avoiding the lottery of the playoffs.
Madine’s move to Bramall Lane has been criticised by some United fans due to his history with bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday, as he appeared 113 times for the Owls in all competitions and scored 28 goals.
That said, Warnock had some very kind words to say about Madine following his switch from Cardiff to United, but despite the 70-year-old having had a successful stint at Bramall Lane, it remains to be seen whether many Blades fans will take heed of his comments given how poorly received the player’s arrival has been, judging by some of the Twitter reaction.
“For me, we would not have been promoted without him last season,” Warnock told the Yorkshire Post. “He won us six or seven points just by how he played up front. One game at Millwall stands out as he took a real battering, but kept going and helped us get a big point.
“There were a few games like that and, in the end, they all added up. Those six or seven points proved the difference in us winning automatic promotion or having to settle for the playoffs. He can do the same for Sheffield United.”
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