Sheffield United: Chris Wilder warns his best players will be monitoring ownership battle closely

Referencing the dispute between HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Kevin McCabe, who both hold a 50 per stake in the club, an emotional Wilder admitted there is a danger United’s senior players could become disillusioned if politics continue to overshadow on-the-pitch affairs.

Revealing the differences between the two co-owners has prevented him from formulating a transfer strategy, Wilder said: “I’ve been a player so I know the better players want to see better players coming in.

“We’ve dug around long enough now. I’m not saying we won’t look in the same areas again. But the better players will want to see better in. They’ll want to see more experience in.”

Despite his modest budget, Wilder’s side remained in contention for the Championship play-offs until last weekend’s defeat by Preston North End. Although results have largely kept United’s boardroom issues off the back pages, their manager acknowledged the situation can not continue following the meeting with Alex Neil’s team.

“There are always casualties. Last year, (Stefan) Scougall was great for us, Marc McNulty did great and Matty Done did great. But we need to upgrade it to even compete to try and get in the top 10.

“The division, for me, is going to move on. It’s going to be more powerful next year with the teams that are coming up and coming down. Plus, I don’t see some of the real big hitters again struggling at the bottom. But it isn’t a financial situation. I’ll work with what I’m given. That says what direction the club wants to go in. And that’s alright. Then everybody knows and we can get on with it.”