Sheffield Utd boss Chris Wilder sent off after angrily kicking ball that hit FAN

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has been sent off after accidentally striking a Blades fan with a football he blasted into the Bramall Lane crowd.

Barely weeks after his surprising return to the club, Wilder was sent off in bizarre circumstances during his side's clash with Southampton. His side went into the dressing room at half time leading the Saints 1-0, courtesy of a goal from Tyrese Campbell.

In the final exchange of the opening 45 minutes, Will Still's side won a penalty, which was missed by Saints forward Adam Armstrong. On his way to the tunnel, Wilder was speaking to one of his players when a ball bounced towards him.

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He could then be seen tearing towards the ball before striking it into the stands with his laces. He immediately put his hand up to apologise to the supporter who was struck by the football.

Describing the incident on Sky Sports News, presenter Julian Warren said: "They're walking off and Wilder sees a ball and puts his left boot through it.

"The problem was, he puts his hands up as he acknowledges that in kicking it, he kicks it into the crowd and it hits one of the home fans. Straight to the gentlemen in question, he apologises and the fan in fairness has a smile on his face."

Wilder looked aghast when he was sent off against the South Coast side. Wilder's mood was made immediately worse as the Saints scored two goals in eight minutes to take the lead in the early stages of the second half.

Ross Stewart levelled the game in the 51st minute before scoring a second, seven minutes later. It is a huge setback for Wilder, who started his third reign at Bramall Lane strongly.

His side secured a vital 1-0 away victory over Oxford United with Callum O'Hare scoring the only goal of the game. It was a hugely important result, not just for Wilder, but the Blades, as they had started the campaign with six consecutive losses in the Championship.

Wilder was sacked at the end of last season after they failed to reach the Premier League. He managed to guide them to a strong third place finish, but they lost in dramatic fashion to Sunderland in the play-offs.

Less than an hour after news of his sacking was confirmed in June, former Reading and Hull City manager Ruben Selles was appointed. Wilder's exit was briefed as being "mutually agreed" but he did admit he was "disappointed" to be leaving the club, so soon after almost ensuring an immediate return to the Premier League.

His side are now deep in a relegation battle, despite the Championship campaign only being seven games old. United began the evening rock bottom of the Championship, three points away from safety.

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