Iliman Ndiaye sends message to Sheffield United fans after emotional World Cup send-off

The Blades starlet has been named in the Senegal squad for this winter’s tournament in Qatar, with Aliou Cissé’s side tipped by some as a dark horse considering the impressive attacking options at their disposal.

Ndiaye jetted off to meet up with his teammates following United’s victory at Cardiff City on Saturday, their fourth win in five games lifting them temporarily back to the top of the table and ensuring they went into the World Cup break in the automatic promotion places.

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Ndiaye was given an emotional send-off from the travelling Blades faithful at full-time and later said: “Thank you to the Blades fan for this incredible support, going to the break with a win. Also want to thank my teammates, coaching staff and everyone that has helped me to go and live a childhood dream.”

“Thank you all, for your messages of encouragement every day,” the 22-year-old added. “I see them all. To the Senegalese people, thank you for being behind me since the beginning, for wishing me good things in my career, and for being behind me. We will give everything together until the end. One people, one faith, one goal.”

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Senegal are in group A with the Netherlands, Ecaudor and Qatar and if they progress to the quarter-finals, Ndiaye would miss United’s Championship clash with Huddersfield Town on December 10. Ndiaye is one of two United representatives at the World Cup, with Adam Davies included in Rob Page’s Wales squad for Qatar.

Rhys Norrington-Davies would have also made the trip, but a serious hamstring injury ruled him out.

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