Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney Engage in Heated Exchange with Sheffield United's Billy Sharp After FA Cup Clash

Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney found themselves in the middle of a fiery post-match exchange with former Sheffield United ace Billy Sharp following their 2022/23 FA Cup clash. The confrontation followed an intense fourth-round match in January 2023, where Sheffield United faced off against Wrexham, resulting in a 3-3 draw at the Racecourse Ground. The tension continued into the replay at Bramall Lane, where United secured a 3-1 victory on aggregate, eliminating Wrexham from the Cup.

Sharp's Ruthless Message

Billy Sharp, who scored the decisive goal in the 94th minute of the replay, was less than impressed with Wrexham's social media antics before the game. Sharp explained, "I thought there was a lack of respect towards us. Whoever runs their Twitter account wants to be careful because they thought they were playing Spurs before they beat us." His frustration was evident as he directed a crying gesture toward the Wrexham fans after his goal, further escalating the tensions on the pitch.

Post-Match Confrontation

After the game, Sharp continued to express his displeasure, resulting in a heated exchange with Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson. Recalling the incident on Ben Foster's Fozcast, Sharp said, "Parky comes running over – ‘What are you saying!’ He is giving it loads because I’m having a bit of banter and his team has just got knocked out."

The confrontation didn't end there. As the players headed down the tunnel, Sharp cheekily shouted, "shove it on the documentary," referencing Wrexham's popular series, Welcome to Wrexham. The comment didn't go unnoticed by Reynolds and McElhenney, who took the opportunity to clap back at the 38-year-old striker.

Reynolds and McElhenney's Response

Ryan Reynolds commented on the situation, saying, "It was like, 'Oh, we own you right now. You're a Championship team, and second place in the Championship, you guys are amazing. And this guy we just got under his skin.' It was so, so wonderful to see that we got under that guy's skin the way we did."

Not one to hold back, Rob McElhenney added, "We were living rent-free in that m***********'s brain." The exchange was later featured in the Welcome to Wrexham documentary, much to Sharp's dismay.

Sharp's Change of Heart

Despite the heated rivalry, Sharp's opinion of Wrexham seems to have softened over time. Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast in November, Sharp admitted, "Wrexham are doing really well, fair play to them. I don't hold grudges."

After his departure from Sheffield United, Sharp was briefly linked with a move to Wrexham, but instead, he joined Hull City in January 2024. He later moved to Doncaster Rovers, where he scored in their League Two opener against Accrington Stanley.

Looking Ahead

Wrexham, now promoted to League One after finishing second in League Two, are currently fourth in the standings. They once again face Sheffield United in the EFL Cup on Tuesday evening, but this time, Sharp will not be playing in red and white.

The rivalry between Wrexham and Sheffield United, fueled by the fiery exchange between Sharp, Reynolds, and McElhenney, continues to be a memorable chapter in football history.