Paul Heckingbottom’s first verdict on Benie Traore after long-awaited Sheffield United debut

Traore played 73 minutes on his debut against the German side and could have had an assist when his good pass sent strike partner Will Osula clean through on goal, but the striker failed to get his shot away after delaying and looking to go around the goalkeeper before the chance went begging.

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The 20-year-old Traore was playing his first game in over a month after his debut for the Blades was delayed by a wait for a visa, which meant he only trained with his United teammates for the first time earlier this week. United prescribed him some physical work during the delay and will now work hard with him in training between now and next weekend’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace, in a bid to get him in the best shape possible ahead of a potential “dream” top-flight debut.

“It’s been nice for him and for us to finally work with him,” Heckingbottom said. “He’s a young boy, 20 years old, desperate to come and play in the Premier League. It was his dream. We know what attributes he has got. He has pace, can play on the shoulder.

“If we would have been better with the ball and sustained the ball higher up the pitch [against Stuttgart] he has moments in him were he regains the ball high and comes alive and is a problem for defenders. But he was another one who found it tough out there.”