Former Blades manager Neil Warnock and Owls legend Chris Waddle are no strangers to the Steel City derby.

The pair spoke on BBC Radio Sheffield’s Football Heaven: Steel City Derby Special about how much the battle for local bragging rights means to them.

“I remember people saying it’s just another game and I thought ‘what am I talking about?’ “It isn’t,” said Warnock.

“Rivalry – no matter what you do, no matter if you’re bottom or top of the league, it doesn’t matter in these games. It’s who wants it more, who can play on the day.”

As for how it will play out at Bramall Lane on Sunday afternoon, Waddle believes his former side is an unknown component in his prediction calculations.

“Going into the derby, you know what you’re going to get from United. Very organized, very trained,” said Waddle.

“I don’t know how Wednesday will play out, they are such an unpredictable team.

“What you see from Sheffield United so far this season is consistency and I think what you’ve seen since Wednesday is inconsistency.

“I think if they get a draw or a win on Wednesday – fantastic! It will be a great result for them.”

Warnock lists United as “favourites” but believes “Wednesday can beat anyone on their day” – although he believes the Blades have something special up their sleeve with goalkeeper Michael Cooper.

“For me, he should be in the Premier League and could be next year. He’s one of the best goalkeepers I’ve seen,” Warnock said.

You can watch Football Heaven: Steel City Derby Special in full BBC iPlayer or BBC sounds.