Chris Wilder sold Marc McNulty in the summer of 2017 – now the Black Cats striker needs to prove a point against the Premier League outfit in the EFL Cup.
Sunderland’s EFL Cup clash away to Sheffield United on Wednesday night will hold extra significance for one member of Jack Ross’ squad; striker Marc McNulty.
He has unfinished business to attend to at Bramall Lane.
It’s five years now since a fresh-faced McNulty arrived in the Steel City after a 19-goal breakthrough season with Livingston in the Scottish Championship. And Bramall Lane was a very different place in those days with Sheffield United stuck in purgatory in England’s third tier.
Managed by Nigel Clough and with a squad containing the likes of Craig Alcock, John Brayford and Jose Baxter, Sheffield United finished fifth in McNulty’s debut season, losing out to Swindon Town in the play-off semi-finals.
It’s fair to say a lot has changed in half a decade.
Sharping the Blades
When Marc McNulty takes on his former club in Sunderland colours this week, he will be up against a Premier League outfit who beat Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park just a matter of days ago.
Chris Wilder, the prodigal son who returned home to bring top-flight football back to South Yorkshire, is a legend in these parts. But, for McNulty, this potential banana skin represents an opportunity to prove a point to his doubters – specifically the man sat in the home dugout.
After all, the 27-year-old was barely handed a chance by the former Northampton boss, making just four appearances under Wilder before being farmed out on loan to Bradford City and then sold, the following summer, to Coventry.
Wilder took the likes of Billy Sharp and Chris Basham under his wing, transforming them into Premier League players, while giving David Brooks and Dominic Calvert-Lewin their chance in the senior game.
McNulty was never afforded such an opportunity and, three years on, he is still stuck in the third tier with a Sunderland side who already appear to be repeating the mistakes of a heart-breaking 2018/19 season which ended with two Wembley defeats.
Sunderland head to Bramall Lane on Wednesday hoping for a welcome distraction. McNulty, more than anyone, will be more desperate to leave his mark on proceedings.
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