Sheffield United fans will love Ruben Selles’ target for Louie Barry as Aston Villa loanee sets goal aim

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Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry is poised for an exciting season at Sheffield United, and the Blades boss has set lofty expectations for the left-winger.

The 2024/25 Championship campaign for Sheffield United was defined by the final game of their 49-game season.

After Sunderland beat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final, Chris Wilder was sacked by the Blades, and Sheffield United appointed Ruben Selles as his successor.

The former Hull City manager has been hard at work in the summer transfer window in his first weeks in charge, evidenced by Sheffield United signing Tyler Bindon, Selles’ former Reading captain, on loan from Nottingham Forest.

Despite the acquisition of Bindon’s services, the Blades’ biggest coup of the window is undoubtedly the loan signing of Louie Barry from Aston Villa, who has lifted the lid on the lofty expectations set by Selles for him next season.

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Louie Barry reveals Ruben Selles’ expectations for him in Sheffield United loan

Sheffield United signed Barry on loan from Aston Villa earlier this month, seeing Selles reunite with the left-winger who arrived at Hull on loan for the second half of last season.

After scoring 16 goals and registering two assists on loan at Stockport County, Barry was recalled and sent to Selles’ Hull, but an injury suffered against Sunderland saw the Englishman sidelined for the rest of the campaign after just four Tigers appearances.

With the Blades looking to go one better than last season’s play-off final defeat, during Selles’ debut campaign at Bramall Lane, Barry has lifted the lid on what the Sheffield United boss wants from him next season.

When quizzed about Selles’ expectations for him, Barry told BBC Sport: “I know the gaffer, what he wants. I was with him at Hull, obviously, so I know it’s intense, I know it’s going to be hard.

“I’ve had a good conversation with him as well, he filled me with confidence, so yeah it’s been great.

“I think I promised him 15 goals last year, so he’s reminded me of that, and just to work hard, I think that’s all really that matters really, he loves to work out a player’s intensity, if he sees me jogging, he’ll tell me and I don’t mind that because that’ll put a rocket up my backside and tell me to get into position.

“I don’t mind that, it’s not because he doesn’t like me, it’s because he’s trying to get the best out of me, and that’s what I like, he’s a great manager, very knowledgeable and his staff are great as well.

“I’ve had enough loans now to know that you can’t take your time, you can’t tiptoe into it, you have to go all guns blazing into it, and that’s what I’m trying to do, and I know this is a great opportunity for me.

“I know the gaffer, a massive club and I haven’t fully played in the Championship, yet I haven’t cracked it yet, so that’s my next opportunity, that’s my next goal.

“I know it’s a great opportunity for me, so I’m going to work my hardest, I’m going to take it with two hands hopefully and yeah, I’m buzzing for it.”

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Louie Barry will want to score his first Championship goal for Sheffield United

Barry rose to footballing prominence after his breakout spell as a youngster with West Brom, before moving on to Barcelona to join their famed academy, to become the first English player to join and play for La Masia.

After returning to England with boyhood club Villa in 2020, Barry has been sent out on loan several times to EFL clubs by the Villans, spending time at Ipswich Town, Swindon Town, MK Dons, Salford City, and Stockport County.

Despite an impressive return during loan spells in the third and fourth tiers, Barry is yet to score a Championship goal, after his loan at Hull was cut short last season.

The 22-year-old will be hoping to score his first goal in the second tier of English football next season, at the same time as Selles looks to mastermind promotion for the Blades in his debut campaign as Wilder’s successor.