# Phil Parkinson Backs Wrexham Star Ahead of Hostile Sheffield Return > Wrexham's Callum O'Hare aims for first goal against former side Sheffield United in hostile match. - Title: Phil Parkinson Backs Wrexham Star Ahead of Hostile Sheffield… - Summary: Wrexham's Callum O'Hare aims for first goal against former side Sheffield United in hostile match. Wrexham's Callum O'Hare seeks first goal for club in… - Keywords: callum o'hare, wrexham, sheffield united, phil parkinson, nfl, championship, premier league, transfer window, sheffield united manager, wrexham fc, championship football, Phil - Source: SI — https://si.com/soccer/phil-parkinson-backs-wrexham-star-hostile-sheffield-return - Published: 2026-10-29T15:10:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: callum o'hare, wrexham, sheffield united, phil parkinson, nfl, championship, xg, premier league, transfer window, sheffield united manager, wrexham fc, championship football ## Phil Parkinson Confident Phil Parkinson is confident Callum O'Hare will become a key player for Wrexham as the attacking midfielder searches for his first goal for the club against former side Sheffield United this weekend. ## Wrexham Signed O'Hare Wrexham signed O'Hare for an undisclosed fee believed to be worth $9.5 million (£7 million) on Deadline Day of the summer transfer window. ## O'Hare's Contract The 28-year-old signed an initial three-year deal at the Racecourse Ground, with an option for a fourth, and cited the club’s ambition to reach the Premier League as a key reason behind his move. ## O'Hare's Performance O'Hare has started Wrexham’s last six matches but has yet to register a direct goal contribution in any of his eight appearances for the Welsh club. ## Sheffield United Manager Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder accused Wrexham of taking a 'blanket bomb' approach to the summer transfer window as they closed in on a deal for O'Hare. ## Wilder's Past Criticism It was not the first time Wilder had taken a dig at old foe Parkinson, with the pair having been apprentices together at Southampton as teenagers. ## Wilder's Comments Wilder said: 'I watched the game against Wrexham.I thought it was one-way traffic for 20 minutes. > I watched the game against Wrexham. I thought it was one-way traffic for 20 minutes. The second half, I didn't agree with what the Wrexham manager said, I don’t usually anyway, in terms of that it was a one-sided game. I thought he should give the opposition a little bit more credit and respect. ## Hostile Reception A hostile reception awaits O'Hare on Friday, with Wrexham likely to name both the midfielder and former Sheffield United striker Kieffer Moore in their starting lineup. ## Wilder's Stance Wilder did not want to sell O'Hare in the summer and admitted last season that, if it were up to him, Moore would still be playing for the club, too. ## Wrexham's Struggles Wrexham need big performances from their forwards at Bramall Lane amid a difficult start to the season.Only three teams have averaged fewer than their 3. ## O'Hare's xG O'Hare has recorded an xG of 1.85 since joining the club, with Wrexham struggling to cope without the firepower of last season’s top scorer, Josh Windass. ## Windass Injury The 32-year-old missed the entirety of preseason because of injury and fitness issues and is currently sidelined with a separate ankle problem. ## Parkinson's Confidence Parkinson is confident that one goal could change the midfielder’s fortunes at his new club. ## Parkinson's Quote Parkinson told Sports Illustrated: 'I think generally, his performances have been good: the Preston one (won 4-1) in particular.I had a good chat with him this week; the moment will come for him. > I think generally, his performances have been good: the Preston one (won 4-1) in particular. I had a good chat with him this week; the moment will come for him. He just has to concentrate on his general all-around performance and not get frustrated that the moments haven’t come. In fairness, the goal we won the game with against Southampton was practically his. He has been so close on a number of occasions. His general play has been really good and his work for the team has been excellent. ## O'Hare's View For O'Hare, it is business as usual. He knows he will receive plenty of abuse in front of his former fans on Friday but insists he will treat the match like any other. ## Key takeaway Wrexham's Callum O'Hare seeks first goal for club in hostile Sheffield United match after signing for $9.5m.