Power: We wanted to inflict Max pain

Latics completed a comfortable 2-0 victory at Bramall Lane to move up to third place in League One, just a point off the automatic promotion places.

The win came less than a month after Latics blew a 3-0 lead in the corresponding fixture at the DW Stadium, with the South Yorkshire side coming back from the dead and almost winning it late on.

This time, Latics saw out the game in a far more professional manner, and Power admits it felt good to ‘right the wrong’ of their previous encounter.

“We felt as though we owed them one after what happened in the home game,” he said. “It was a great team performance, everyone to a man played well and we deserved it.

“We righted the wrong from the last game, we got the job done, and it’s on to the next one now.”

A Will Grigg penalty and a debut goal from Conor McAleny in the space of three minutes at the start of the second period was enough to secure a valuable three points for Latics.

And the winning margin could have been even more emphatic had Grigg not missed his second attempt from the spot inside the final quarter.

“I thought that second half was the best we’ve played all season, we looked so strong,” Power acknowledged.

“Sheffield United had one or two moments, which you’d expect them to as the home team. But on the whole we dealt with everything they threw at us and looked a very good team.

“Every time we broke we looked dangerous, and when Yanic (Wildschut) is in that form there’s no-one better in this division.”

Power was also chuffed for McAleny, the on-loan Everton striker who capped off a lively first appearance for the club with a memorable strike.

“I’m made up for Conor that he got a goal on his first appearance,” Power recognised.

“He’s had a tough time with injuries in the last few years, but he’s a top quality player and the squad’s a lot better for him being here.

“He looked like he’s been with us for the whole season, and that’s the sign of a quality player.

“He’s settled in really well off the field, he’s quite local to Wigan anyway, and he’s hit the ground running.”