SHEFFIELD UNITED held off a brave Norwich City side to claim a narrow 1-0 win in an entertaining clash at Bramall Lane.

Local hero Billy Sharp’s first-half header proved decisive on the day, but both sides went for it, with a number of great chances at either end.

Dean Henderson was the hero with a superb second half double save, and his manager Chris Wilder says he will soon be playing for England. The Manchester United loanee has big plans for his future, which may lie away from the Steel City.

“We’ll all be very surprised if he’s not named in the upcoming England group and we’ll be surprised if he doesn’t get an opportunity in one of the next two games.” Wilder said.

“He’s Manchester United’s player and his loan runs out at the end of the season. Dean will be the biggest voice in [where he goes next]. If you speak to Dean, he wants to be Manchester United’s No 1. 

“He has never shied away from that. But he’s progressing nicely and he enjoys playing football.”

The Blades quickly found their customary high tempo and tested Tim Krul within five minutes. Sharp crossed for his strike partner Oli McBurnie, but the Dutchman was equal to his header, tipping it over for a corner.

Just shy of 15 minutes in, after weathering a bit of an early storm, Norwich should have taken the lead through top-scorer Teemu Pukki. Emiliano Buendia’s shot from distance was deflected and he initially won a header from the resulting corner, before striking an effort against the post from yards out.

Set pieces were the source of the game’s best chances in the first half, and Norwich had Kenny MacLean to thank for keeping the scores level. He cleared Jack O’Connell’s effort from another corner off the line as the hosts looked to build up a head of steam.

Less than 10 minutes before the break, though, they got their goal. Sharp powered John Lundstram’s pinpoint cross past Krul; it was exactly what they deserved.

Moments later, Lundstram went close twice, first striking just wide and then being denied by Krul after great build up play. Wilder’s men looked to press home their advantage.

It was the Canaries who started the second half on the front foot, and the home crowd looked on anxiously as substitute Josip Drmic headed Max Aarons’s cross the wrong side of the post.

Chris Basham almost made it 2-0 after creating space for himself in the area before firing over the bar. The chance went begging, but really needed to fall to someone else.

After a quiet spell in the game, Norwich somehow failed to equalise when a goalmouth scramble ensued after a rare corner for the visitors. Henderson’s somehow denied both Ben Godfrey and Mario Vrancic, drawing chants of “England’s No 1” from the Kop end, which echoed Wilder’s sentiments.

Smelling blood, Norwich, who had remained competitive if not threatening throughout, stepped it up as full time approached. The tension from the stands became palpable, but the United defence held strong to secure three huge points.