Sheffield United: 'Pressure? That is working in Tesco,' says Slavisa Jokanovic

Speaking ahead of last weekend’s game against Luton Town, where United hoped to record their first win of the new Championship season but left with a goalless draw, the Serb attempted to erase some of the disappointment surrounding recent results.

Asked if he felt some of those under his command had “fallen out of love with football” during last tern’s relegation from the Premier League, Jokanovic also denied United’s faltering start to the campaign had left them under pressure, saying: “They must start to enjoy it. If you don't enjoy your profession, if you are always under unnecessary stress, then what are you scared about? Why?

“You can’t be scared of football. That is completely wrong. Football is a serious business, yes. It is about pressure, responsibility and strong words. But in England, as you say, football is the beautiful game. We must make it more beautiful.”

“Football isn’t pressure,” the Serb continued. “Working in Tesco or somewhere else, that is pressure.

“This is a beautiful life, a wonderful way of earning a living, and we must all embrace and enjoy that.”

With United selling out their ticket allocation for the trip to Luton, Jokanovic said: “I must say, I am really impressed with our supporters. They are coming, between other things, to enjoy themselves.

“They want to enjoy watching the games and they can enjoy it if we are also enjoying ourselves on the field. Come on, let’s go out there and enjoy ourselves. We need to enjoy ourselves, perform and bring entertainment for the people.”

Although he boasts a reputation for being a tactical obsessive, Jokanovic stressed he does not want to burden United’s players with a raft of complicated instructions, adding: “I can scream but it is the decision of the player that makes football so beautiful. Because when they take the right one, that is when people go ‘Wow.’

“I must protect my players because they are working hard. Now, we must also impress.”