Sheffield United: Goalkeeper appears fearful about manager's position

Wolves’ preparations for this weekend’s match, and tonight’s Europa League tie against Braga, have been overshadowed by suggestions the Londoners’ hierarchy will target Nuno if they dispense with Unai Emery’s services.

Patricio, who barring injury or illness will make his 14th appearance of the Premier League season when United visit Molineux, listened to his compatriot distance himself from those claims before the Group K tie.

But with the Portuguese refusing to issue an unequivocal denial that he would be interested in a move to the capital should Emery depart, Patricio reminded: “It is extremely important to keep Nuno at the club. It’s important to keep him.

“We have ambitions, so that is the only way to develop the club.”

Nuno, who was also touted as a potential replacement for Maurizio Sarri before Frank Lampard succeeded the Italian at Chelsea earlier this year, led Wolves to a seventh placed finish in the top-flight last term after delivering promotion from the Championship.

They climbed to fifth - a place above United - after beating AFC Bournemouth; a result which stretched their unbeaten run in the competition to eight outings. United, who drew with Manchester United last weekend, have not lost in six.

“There are no distractions at all,” Nuno replied, when asked about the possibility of being approached by Arsenal. “I will never mention an issue that is not a reality, so I’m not going to answer about that, mainly because speaking about a job that has a manager on it would be disrespectful. I will not do so.”

“There are no distractions at all,” he repeated. “I don’t talk about ifs, possibilities, things that are not real.”

Although Wolves’ owners Fosun are confident of Nuno’s commitment, his failure to respond with a flat denial could set alarm bells ringing behind the scenes. Coupled with the quick turnaround between the trip to Braga and United’s arrival, the club suspect their meeting with Chris Wilder’s side could prove one of their toughest assignments of the campaign so far.

Wilder is expected to recall Dean Henderson after he missed last weekend’s clash with Ole Gunnar Solkjaer’s side, while defender John Egan could also return to action following injury.

But Lys Mousset, United’s in-form centre-forward, is a doubt because of a hamstring problem.

Mousset underwent a scan on Monday to ascertain the extent of the problem, although the results have so far been kept under wraps. Oli McBurnie has been placed on stand-by should Mousset fail a fitness test.