What Sheffield United and Watford managers said about delayed kick-off at Bramall Lane

Referee David Coote visited both dressing rooms beforehand to explain the match would start 10 minutes late due to what a United official later described as a “security issue”.

Wilder admitted he had “forgotten” about the matter when questioned on the subject afterwards, with Pearson also shrugging-off suggestions it had caused a problem.

“I just told him (Coote) to keep us informed,” Wilder revealed, following the 1-1 draw. “To be perfectly honest, I’d forgotten all about it until you guys (the media) brought it up.

“Genuinely, it wasn’t anything for us to get worked up about. It was 10 minutes, that’s all.

“It wasn’t anything serious.”

Wilder, whose side will prepare for Sunday’s visit to Manchester City in sixth, was more concerned about what he acknowledged was a lacklustre display by his side during their final home game of 2019.

After a promising opening period, which saw Ben Foster twice deny Oli McBurnie, United fell behind when Gerard Deulofeu applied the finishing touches to a rapid move instigated by the former England goalkeeper.

Oliver Norwood levelled from the penalty spot, following Will Hughes’ trip on George Baldock, before Foster excelled himself again to thwart John Fleck from close range.

Like Wilder, Pearson also brushed aside claims that events during the build-up to the fixture had caused a problem for either his players or his coaching staff.

“I don’t think the delayed kick-off affected anyone at all,” Pearson said. “We heard there was a potential security issue, the referee told us about it, and then told us there was going to be a 10 minute delay.”

“I didn’t do any extra team talks,” he added. “For me, those situations require nothing more than calmness. You’ve just got to rewind 10 minutes, that’s all, like an old tape deck eh?”