IT MIGHT sound like sacrilege from a Wednesday fan but Rory McArdle believes it would be good for Sheffield if United do win promotion.

The Owls may currently dominate the steel city football scene with their Championship spot.

But McArdle reckons that, deep down, many of their supporters are missing the crackle of a local derby.

“Like any general football fan, derby day wherever you are in the country is a massive thing,” said the City centre half, who grew up a blue in Sheffield.

“The only way to get bragging rights in the city is to beat your rivals. Obviously that’s not going to happen at the minute.

“If you ask the majority of Bradford fans if they could play Leeds twice a season, they’d be happy with that.

“When we played Leeds in the Capital One Cup two years ago, the atmosphere was incredible.

“From that point of view it’s brilliant. There is also the money generated from the size of gates and everything is sold – all surrounding it makes for such a big occasion.”

McArdle still lives in south Yorkshire and senses a shift in mood among the United supporters as Chris Wilder’s side gather pace.

He said: “It’s picked up a little bit now. They had a tricky start and United fans were probably thinking ‘here we go again’.

“But they are on a roll at the minute and scoring goals freely.”

McArdle, who regained his starting slot in midweek against Southend, can see similarities between City and tomorrow’s visitors.

He said: “If we’re taking points off teams like Sheffield United, we’re obviously going in the right direction.”