Sheffield United manager appears to call for assistance amid takeover talk

Speaking after seeing his team’s preparations for the South Yorkshire derby at Rotherham overshadowed by off-the-pitch issues, including owner Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud’s talks with the Nigerian businessman and the transfer embargo imposed on United by the English Football League, Heckingbottom appeared to call for United’s hierarchy to provide supporters with some insight into what is happening behind the scenes.

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Questions about Mmobuosi’s attempt to purchase United, coupled with the financial issues which saw them prohibited from processing new signings before the window closed last week, dominated Heckingbottom’s post-match media conference following the goalless draw with Matt Taylor’s side.

“You’ll have to as them (the board) about it,” the 45-year-old said. “Get someone else in front of you to answer those questions. For me, it has to be all about the football. That’s what I’ve got to focus on and that’s what the lads have got to concentrate on. Nothing else.”

“I’m genuinely not trying to fob you off or be evasive,” Heckingbottom added. “I just don’t have the information that you want. And I’ve got to put all my energy into the team, the things that we can control. Nothing else.”

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Second placed United saw the gap between themselves and third placed Middlesbrough cut to 10 points following the stalemate at New York Stadium, although they enjoy a game in hand on their rivals from Teesside.

Mmobuosi, a technology and agriculture entrepreneur, was unveiled as the person Prince Abdullah has agreed to sell his shareholding to during the build-up to the fixture. Apparently based in London, despite his projects in the west African state, commentators on the continent have claimed Mmobuosi will be using the value of one of his companies to leverage the proposed purchase, with the EFL now understood to be scrutinising his credentials. Neither Prince Abdullah nor any of his associates have yet to comment on the circumstances which saw United default on payments relating to previous transfer deals.

“Football, the players, that’s my focus,” Heckingbottom said, as United turned their attention towards tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth round replay against Wrexham. “We’ve got a busy couple of wees now and we can’t afford to think about anything else.”

“It can’t be a distraction and it’s not a distraction,” he added. “We can’t control any of this, it’s not something we can do. Genuinely, and I’m not being awkward, but I don’t have the information that you all want. That’s for someone else to provide you with, because they now a lot more about it than me.”

Wrexham warmed-up for their trip to Bramall Lane with a 2-1 victory over Altrincham. Debutant Eoghan O’Connell scored the winning goal during the closing stages, after completing his move from Charlton Athletic. Ollie Palmer was also on target.

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