Sheffield United players were left broken after a missed half chance against the team they expect to win the Premier League.

After winning just one of their last six league games before departing for the Club World Cup two weeks ago, Manchester City has improved since winning the world championship, defeating Sheffield United and Everton to reclaim the top spot. While City was in Saudi Arabia, Arsenal and Liverpool had the chance to extend their leads to double figures; nonetheless, the Blues will enter 2024 one victory shy of the summit.

Sheffield United, who are fighting for their life at the other end of the table, were unable to make any progress at the Etihad after losing to fellow struggling team Luton at home in a late reversal. William Osula did, however, manage to find room in the box to take a shot.While Arsenal and Liverpool had the opportunity to stretch their lead to double figures while City were in Saudi Arabia, instead the Blues will head into 2024 within one win of the summit.

Sheffield United are battling for their survival at the other end of the table, and after suffering a late turnaround at home to fellow strugglers Luton they were unable to claim anything at the Etihad. However, William Osula did find space in the box to get a shot away in the first half when they only trailed 1-0 and the fact that City were only able to get one more meant that the visitors left Manchester with their heads held high.

“It’s hard to say we are satisfied but there were moments we can be proud of playing against what I think is the best team in the world. I watch them every time they are on TV purely as a football fan,” said defender George Baldock.

“In my opinion, they’ve got the best manager and players in the world and they’re the best team in the world. They set a blueprint for any team that wants to play total football.

“I don’t think we respected them too much – but you know if you disrespect them you can get done [by] four, five, six. Sometimes you have to sit in and limit them.

“They had the ball all game and were in total control of the game but we kept our structure, kept at it. It’s crazy but a 1-0 we had a great chance to equalise and then you never know.

“Like their game against Palace here, everyone thought they were dead and buried but they get a moment to change the game. I think when they played Palace, I counted about eight defenders Palace had on the pitch.”

Baldock remembers the heights City and Liverpool reached from Sheffield United’s time in the Premier League between 2019 and 2021, and despite strong competition this year still sees the Blues as the team to beat. If Arsenal or Liverpool are to dethrone the champions, they will have to endure the mental battle over 38 games that each of City’s opponents encounter over 90 minutes.

“The first goal is a moment of quality from Rodri and the second we let a runner go. It’s stopping them getting in these areas,” said Baldock. “When they get in those areas It’s as good as a goal – and that proved to be the case. When you play City you have to stop them getting in those positions.

“It’s more mentally tiring. The [previous] game vs Luton I ran more but you come off this one exhausted because it’s so mentally challenging.

“It’s the concentration, having to concentrate on your line – if you give time and space to these players they will pick you up. So yeah physically as well, shuffling across – but more mentally.

“For our first season back in the Premier League, it was tight with them and Liverpool. Since then they are the team to beat.”

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