Di’Shon Bernard only left Manchester United in the summer but the Sheffield Wednesday defender is already setting his sights on a return to the Premier League.
The Jamaica international might have been brought into Hillsborough in an attempt to shore up Sheffield Wednesday’s backline but, during Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with fellow strugglers Middlesbrough, Di’Shon Bernard highlighted his ability to make an impact at the other end of the pitch too.
On only his third start for The Owls, the former Manchester United youngster grabbed his first assist in Wednesday colours, setting up Anthony Musaba from the right-hand side.
Xisco Munoz’s backline has improved considerably since Bernard’s arrival too, conceding one goal per game on average with the 22-year-old compared to 2.3 per game without him.
Bernard still has a long way to go before he is going head-to-head with his old employers on English football’s biggest stage, however, the London-born stopper hoping to use Sheffield Wednesday as a springboard back to the top-flight.
Di’Shon Bernard impressing after Manchester United exit
“It’s my first year since leaving United,” Bernard tells The Star. “So I need to really kick on and try to get back to that level, back into the Premier League where everyone wants to play.
“It’s about making sure I keep learning, keep working hard in training, keep trying to improve. And then, hopefully, I can get back to that level.”
Bernard made only one first-team appearance during six years at Manchester United, scoring an own goal in a 2-1 Europa League group-stage defeat away at Astana during the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era.
He was released by the Red Devils when his contract expired in July.
A big impact at Sheffield Wednesday
“The manager was a big part (in me choosing Sheffield Wednesday),” Bernard adds, playing regular first-team football again after loan spells at Salford City, Hull and Portsmouth.
“(Xisco) got in touch with me before I came and the belief that he gave me in terms of where he sees me going and how he can improve me as a player was definitely a thing that made me join.
“Every day in training he’s talking to me about how I can get better, so that’s a big credit to him.”
