James Shield: Sheffield United must set takeover ultimatum and theatrical gestures

I’m not suggesting the one involving Sheffield United and Dozy Mmobuosi has reached that juncture yet. Although, with the English Football League recently calling for clarification about a number of issues relating to the test any would-be new owner or director of a football club must pass in order for their appointments to be approved, it can’t be too far off unless those are addressed.

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But I am convinced, given the crossroads Paul Heckingbottom’s employers now appear to be facing both on and off the pitch, that Bramall Lane’s board of directors must give the Nigerian businessman attempting to replace Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the helm some sort of binding deadline to satisfy the governing body and complete the purchase of get off the pot - whether you believe he’s the right person to lead this grand old sporting institution or not.

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Clearly, if United do decide to extricate themselves from any exclusivity agreement they have struck with Mmobuosi, it might be easier said than done. And if there is one, given that it is standard procedure to pay for such a privilege, some sort of refund might be involved. Which could prove tricky given that United, operating under a transfer embargo after failing to keep up tight their repayments on several historic purchases, are clearly experiencing some fiscal turbulence right now.

But, as I wrote last week, United’s long term future is more important than anything. Even, although it sounds ridiculous to say so, the outcome of a season which sees them enter today’s game against Watford second in the table and four points clear of third with a match in hand despite suffering back to back defeats. With every red flag that is raised surrounding Mmobuosi’s candidacy, United’s reputation suffers a little more damage.

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The founder of Tingo, an agri-fintech firm seemingly determined to branch into as many different spheres as possible, Mmobuosi can’t have enjoyed the past couple of weeks either. Reports about outstanding County Court Judgements, dissolved aviation ventures and the usage of his Tingo Mobile platform won’t make pleasant reading for either him or his associates, who 48 hours ago announced they had entered into an agreement with Evtec Energy to power a food plant in the west African state.

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Unless United and Mmobuosi can answer all of the questions the EFL and others have about this proposed buyout within a matter of days, there can’t genuinely be an argument that it makes sense to keep pressing ahead. Not when there should be a whole host of other interested buyers out there.

I don’t mean this personally about anyone taking part in these most protracted of protracted discussions. But United, their coaching staff, players, supporters and employees deserve better than to see this uncertainty carry on.

•Heckingbottom is right when he says history counts for nothing. Providing of course - and he’ll know this, because he’s an intelligent, clued-up guy - that you learn from it. Seven days after being beaten by Millwall at The Den, and 10 since they succumbed to Middlesbrough, United are preparing to face Slaven Bilic’s men hoping to avert a third consecutive set-back and get their push for automatic promotion back on track. No matter what Michael Carrick’s men do against West Bromwich Albion, even a point against Watford would represent a solid return. Although three would naturally be better.

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During the loss to Middlesbrough, United didn’t take their chances. It was one of those nights when if they had, on reflection, the visitors from Teesside would already have been well-beaten by the time they slipped into gear. The performance in south London, however, was more worrying. Yes, United demonstrated their durability during a woeful first-half display before improving after the break. But there seemed to be a lack of leadership among a group of players which, as we know, is stuffed full of strong characters.

That isn’t to suggest United weren’t bothered or digging in. They were. But, providing its done in the right way, more demonstrative reactions when things aren’t going well could go some way towards easing the tension fans are feeling right now.

•With their advantage over Middlesbrough being more than halved within the space of four days, it is inevitable that some folk will argue United are better off forgetting all about the FA Cup and fielding a second eleven when they host Tottenham Hotspur in the fifth round next week. I get the argument. But in my humble opinion, the clash with Antonio Conte’s men has only grown in importance following recent results.

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Confidence among Heckingbottom’s squad is bound to have taken a knock. They wouldn’t be human if it hadn’t. So can you imagine the boost that beating Spurs, preferably after dispatching Watford too, would give them? No team, not even those involved in the Champions League is good enough to pick and choose when it wins.

Heckingbottom is bound to make changes for the tie. Which highlights another reason why United, including their followers, should treat the match as if it’s their biggest of the campaign. Who knows when some of those on the periphery of Heckingbottom’s starting eleven will be called upon between now and May? The more minutes they can accumulate in this competition, the stronger the position United will find themselves in as they chase a return to the top-flight.