Sub-plots intensify Blades and Wrexham's rivalry

Just two points separate Sheffield United and Wrexham as the pair lock horns in the Championship at Bramall Lane on Friday night (20:00 GMT).

The match-up will pit Chris Wilder against his former Southampton youth team-mate Phil Parkinson once again.

Despite the new nature of the somewhat unconventional rivalry between the clubs, the various sub-plots once again make for an intriguing encounter.

"It's a tasty game," said Wilder. "It's not historical over 15, 20 to 25 years, it's a recent one, but it's gathered pace along the way."

Having not met in 19 years, the Blades narrowly overcame then-National League side Wrexham in a fourth round FA Cup replay in 2023, just months before the Red Dragons gained the first of three successive promotions under Parkinson.