Chris Wilder issues Sheffield United warning ahead of Hull City clash | OneFootball

Wilder isn't underestimating his side's opponents this evening - and he believes it could be a tough game for the Blades.

Chris Wilder believes his Sheffield United side should expect Hull City to be at their best at the MKM Stadium this evening.

He made these comments to the Sheffield Star, with the Blades' boss refusing to underestimate the Tigers.

Tonight's hosts haven't got off to the best start to the season, registering just three points in their opening four league matches.

Their only loss of the season so far may have come against Leeds United, but they have dropped points in some winnable games, though their slow start is understandable.

Not only have Hull got a fairly new manager in place, but they have also signed quite a few players in recent months and have lost key duo Jacob Greaves and Jaden Philogene.

But following the international break, they will be hoping to enjoy a better run of form and get their first competitive win on the board under Tim Walter sooner rather than later.

But they face a very difficult assignment against their Yorkshire rivals, who have made a very decent start to the campaign.

The Blades will view their draw against Queens Park Rangers as two dropped points, but they have gone unbeaten in the league so far this season, with their only defeat coming in the EFL Cup.

They also signed some very talented players during the summer, with the likes of Michael Cooper, Harrison Burrows, Harry Souttar (loan), Alfie Gilchrist (loan), Callum O'Hare and Kieffer Moore all coming in.

Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, who joined on a season-long loan deal, could also be a very good asset for United for the remainder of the campaign.

Chris Wilder's message to Sheffield United players ahead of Hull City game

With the above in mind, the Blades are probably the favourites to come away from this evening's clash with three points, but Wilder isn't getting carried away.

He told the Sheffield Star: "There were a lot of changes there in the summer, same as us.

"I suppose it was a surprise for everybody that Liam went and an experienced manager was brought in from Germany. A lot of changes, and different way of playing as well.

"So they'll have been delighted with the international break to get themselves going and working on certain things they need to work on.

"They lost some players but brought a lot in, lost at Leeds last time out which is no disgrace, and drawn the other three. So they’ve been competitive.

"It always has a feel of a local derby, there’s a lot of history between us and it’s a tough place to go. Recently we’ve had some good performances there, we always fill out the end and it’s always a lively game.

"We have to expect them to be at their best. It's going to be competitive, aggressive. It's got that little bit of a feel about it. It’s not Sheffield Wednesday, not Leeds but it's still a tough place to go.

"They'll be looking to get their first win of the season, and we'll be looking to continue in the way that we left off with an outstanding performance and result."

Sheffield United need to be on their A-game tonight

Hull may not have made the best start to the season, but they have a fairly strong squad.

Carl Rushworth could prove to be an extremely valuable addition between the sticks and the late-summer additions of Kasey Palmer, Mohamed Belloumi, Abu Kamara and Steven Alzate should also help their cause.

Kamara may only have a limited amount of experience at this level, but he was excellent last term and Palmer could also be a real threat in the final third.

The Tigers are a side that shouldn't be underestimated - and Wilder has struck the right tone in his pre-match press conference.

However, it's still a game that United should be looking to take all three points from, considering the strength of their squad.