'Now bring on Tottenham and the rest' - Sheffield United boss wants to see Blades build on positive performance

United appeared on course to win the quarter-final tie in extra-time when, after gathering momentum following the interval, David McGoldrick cancelled-out Nicolas Pepe’s penalty with only three minutes remaining.

But Arsenal substitute Dani Ceballos wrecked their hopes of reaching the last four when he fired home from close range in the 91st minute.

Although the result leaves United still searching for their first win since English football returned to action earlier this month following the Covid-19 pandemic, Wilder, who had been critical of his team’s performances against Newcastle and Manchester United, said: “I thought we showed the ingredients out there that you need to win matches against top-level opponents.

“The main ingredient we definitely showed, which was that aggression and competitiveness.

“I’ve always maintained, that to win games of football, we have to produce a perfect storm of performances. We have to be bang at it - giving nine out of 10 displays, week in and week out - the lads looked more like themselves out there. Obviously, there’s still things we need to be doing better. But they showed what an honest bunch they are, I thought, and there were some really encouraging signs.”

After drawing with Aston Villa on the opening day of Project Restart, United entered the meeting with Arsenal on the back of 3-0 defeats at both St James’ Park and Old Trafford. Seventh in the table and unbeaten in six when competition was suspended in March, United return to action when Tottenham Hotspur visit Bramall Lane on Thursday. John Lundstram could be a doubt for that contest after injuring his arm, after being forced off against the visitors from London.

“A few of the lads, with recent displays, they’re probably lacking that little bit of belief,” Wilder acknowledged. “So what they do is take a few extra touches on the ball when they don’t need to.

“But I firmly believe, yes, that what they’d just shown out there should help that belief come back. It was certainly a display which should do that.”