Exclusive: Aston Villa Loan Winger Louie Barry Backs Under-Fire Sheffield United Boss Ruben Selles to Bounce Back After Poor Start

Louie Barry is adamant Ruben Selles will recover from his miserable start as Sheffield United manager and transform the Championship strugglers into promotion contenders.

The winger, on loan from Aston Villa, worked under the Spaniard at Hull City last season and helped The Tigers retain their second tier status.

Appointed as The Blades’ new boss earlier this summer, following Chris Wilder’s shock departure, Selles has endured a miserable first month in charge of the South Yorkshire club after losing all of his first five matches at the helm of a squad which reached the play-off final last term.

But, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom, Barry insisted the 42-year-old will turn things around once United’s squad get to grips with his methods.

“First and foremost, Ruben is a great human being,” Barry said. “Even when I first met him, I could tell straight away he is a top bloke.

He’s got a lot of knowledge and he challenges you in different ways. The press is always different, be it a high one, a low one or a medium one. I’m always learning with Ruben and, even during my first week here, I was having to adapt to different things.

“But when you get used to it, it works. I know that because I’ve been there.”

Barry, aged 22, became the first English-born player to enroll at Barcelona’s renowned youth academy La masia after being signed by the Catalan giants as a youngster. 

Paris St Germain were also interested in acquiring his services after he impressed for West Bromwich Albion at development level. 

'THE LITTLE JAMIE VARDY'

Jurgen Klopp, previously of Liverpool, once described him as “The little Jamie Vardy” although Barry has yet to command a regular starting role at Villa.

H was one of Selles’ headline summer signings after being appointed by United, after impressing him during a stint with Hull earlier this year.

United entered the international break rooted to the bottom of the table but Barry is adamant Selles, who has worked in countries such as Russia, Azerbaijan and Greece before heading to England with Southampton.

Selles is under considerable pressure after United’poor  start to the campaign but Barry said: “I learn a lot every week with him.

“That’s a good thing and he's got that knowledge from working all over.

“He challenges you and he’s got different styles, depending on the game. Essentially, football is simple. But he makes you look at it in different ways.

Barry added: Ruben is demanding buy that;s good. When  you hear Ruben shouting, you forget you are tired,. You just want to get into position.”