Illan Meslier and Stuart Dallas's importance, Chris Wilder's frustration and Leeds United's chances against Manchester City - Dominic Matteo

For such a young keeper, he was outstanding in the way he controlled things, under a lot of pressure as you’d expect in a derby game. He stood up so well and I was so pleased because it’s such an important position and one we needed to get better in. It’s vital for Liam Cooper, Robin Koch and that relationship with the keeper, too, especially when they go to a back three.

I thought Marcelo Bielsa would switch to a three against the Blades and it showed how clever he is, changing the shape to get results against different systems and proving we can be comfortable with a three or a four at the back.

When I played in a three I always found you had to be talking constantly and be well organised. I think with Coops and Luke Ayling you’ve got quite vocal players so that does help, but it can be a difficult system if you don’t know it inside out.

They’re so well drilled under Bielsa that it didn’t faze them at all, it quite suited the way they play and everyone still looked so comfortable on the ball.

Stuart Dallas moved into midfield and showed, again, that he’s so important to the team. I believe his best position is in the midfield area because of his athleticism and what he brings.He’s a bit like James Milner, which is the biggest compliment I can give him, because he does a good job wherever Bielsa plays him.

If you speak to James, he likes to play in the same position every week and that’s probably midfield but I don’t think Dallas is that bothered, he just gets on with his job. He’s underrated maybe, but not by Leeds fans. He’s a firm favourite. People I speak to are always raving about him and his attitude. If you know Leeds fans, having a bad attitude is one thing you don’t get away with, but he always puts his everything into every game and leaves his print on it. It was a great all round performance from him at Bramall Lane and hopefully that will continue.

After the game the managers disagreed over who deserved the win. Sheffield United did have chances and yes, Meslier did make some brilliant saves but that’s what he’s there for and Ramsdale at the other end was busy too.

Wilder is always going to say his side deserved it – it’s Leeds, there is and should be a little bit of niggle with that game and I think he was maybe a little bit frustrated after the start the Blades have had. They’re crying out for a centre-forward and it showed again.

For Leeds, anywhere you can go in the Premier League and get a result you’re doing well.

If we look at the way Leeds have approached all three games so far, they could have got something against Liverpool, beating Fulham was a big plus because it gave them that important first win and the result at Bramall Lane shows they’re settling into the Premier League quite nicely.

Kalvin Phillips in particular showed such maturity after that early yellow card. To stay on the pitch and still play his natural game took incredible discipline. The old Kalvin Phillips might have been off but he’s a different animal now. They’re all learning so much under Bielsa every day.

For Coops, in his 200th game, it was an important win and for Ian Poveda too, as such a young player trying to break into this team and contribute when he can.

There are a lot of positives at the minute. Patrick Bamford is scoring goals and his connection with Jack Harrison is great to see. He’s telling his winger to stick it up there and he’ll get his head on it. They’re all growing in confidence and with six points on the board already, Leeds have nothing to lose against Manchester City.

I’ve said it about the last two games but this is, again, a great opportunity. City aren’t looking brilliant. Bielsa will have studied them closely and I think the way they play will actually suit Leeds. We’ll get time on the ball, they’re not as in your face as Liverpool and they’re not as good defensively as you might think. This is a chance to exploit that.

Of course people might be a little fearful that Manchester City could react to that poor defeat against Leicester City but you cannot fear them in the same way teams did when they pipped Liverpool to the title by a point in the 2018/29 Premier League season. Leeds shouldn’t be fearful. They’re on a bit of a rebuild at the moment. Pep Guardiola is still looking for his best defensive formation and they’ve been punished for some mistakes.

People say it’s a hard test but I think this is a brilliant test for Leeds. This is a game that Bielsa will relish, one the fans will relish after such a long time outside the Premier League and the players should relish it too.

Dominic Matteo column in association with Data Facilities