What Chris Wilder had to say about Billy Sharp's future with Sheffield United

Sharp, Wilder’s captain and life-long supporter of the club, has made only nine appearances in the top-flight since firing United towards promotion last term.

Acknowledging the 33-year-old will be disappointed with his lack of action, Wilder sought to reassure Sharp about his role at Bramall Lane ahead of Sunday’s visit to Manchester City. Revealing United have been approached by rival teams interested in signing the player during next month’s transfer window, he said: “What Billy has done for Sheffield United has been absolutely amazing, outstanding in fact. He’s been a fantastic skipper.

“There have been enquiries from teams, as always when you see someone of his quality not playing regular football, and the same goes for others as well.

“I’ve always been open with Billy and said that as long as I’m here, it’s his decision if he wants to look elsewhere for regular first-team football. He’s happy at the moment.

“If he comes to me and says it might be time for him to consider (a move), we might have to consider that and do the best for Billy. But at the moment he’s a part of our group.”

Sharp has scored 90 times in only 156 starts since embarking upon his third spell with United in 2015; helping them win the League One title during Wilder’s first campaign at the helm before becoming the most prolific marksman in English football this century as they finished second in the Championship eight months ago.

But with Lys Mousset and Oli McBurnie among those to arrive in South Yorkshire over the summer, Sharp has found opportunities in short supply of late and is again expected to be named on the bench when United travel to the Etihad Stadium this weekend. He is contracted to United until 2021, after extending his deal in February.

Wilder, acknowledging that talks about renegotiating the agreements of John Lundstram, Enda Stevens and John Egan are being handled by “their agents” and United’s football administration department, said: “It’s difficult (for Sharp) to force his way past Mousset, McBurnie and (David) McGoldrick with the way he’s played.

“We’ve got Callum Robinson too, who is one for the future and is improving day by day, even though he’s not getting a lot of game time. He’s knocking on the door.”

“We’ve got some good players and that’s good for us as competition,” Wilder added. “Billy understands that, he’s an experienced player.

“But as far as I’m concerned, he’s not knocked on my door and he wants to be a part of this incredible journey we’ve had. Hopefully there’s a little bit more of it in the second half of the season.”