Why Barcelona man Dembele was at Sunderland's Championship clash against Sheffield United

That's clearly what Barca forward Ousmane Dembele thought when he made the decision to go and watch Sunderland host Sheffield United on Wednesday.

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The Wearside outfit were looking to climb their way back towards the play-off places in what's been a pleasing first season back in the Championship following their promotion last campaign.

Meanwhile, visitors Sheffield United were looking to widen the gap between them and third place Middlesbrough, who are hot on the Blades' heels thanks to their revival under Michael Carrick.

And Dembele, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, was obviously keen to witness first hand just how thrilling England's second tier can be, as he was spotted watching from the directors' box.

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TV cameras panned to the Frenchman in the second half, showing him sat next to Sunderland owner, 25-year-old French businessman Kyril Louis-Dreyfus.

The pair have a long-standing friendship having previously posted pictures on Instagram together on holiday in Florida, and Dembele also congratulated Sunderland on their promotion last season after their play-off final win over Wycombe.

Dembele - who has been out injured since going off in the 1-0 win over Girona on January 28 - isn't the only big name to make an unexpected appearance at an EFL game recently, though.

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One Newcastle fan joked: "Thoughts with Ousmane Dembele at this difficult time whilst he endures 90 minutes of football at the Stadium of Light."

FIFA president Gianni Infantino turned up to Millwall for the Lions' promotion six-pointer against Norwich earlier this month.

Likewise, actor Will Ferrell was at Loftus Road to watch QPR play Sunderland in February.

But unluckily for Dembele, Infantino and Ferrell, all three home sides lost their fixtures, with QPR losing 3-0 to Sunderland, Millwall being defeated 3-2 to the Canaries and the Black Cats losing 2-1 to the Blades.

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Wednesday's loss to Sheffield United leaves Sunderland eight points off the final play-off spot, whilst the Blades are now six points clear of Boro and 13 points off league leaders, Vincent Kompany's Burnley.

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