Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder on his future and doing what is right for the football club

Wilder’s team enters Sunday’s match at Brighton and Hove Albion at the bottom of the table and still without a win this term after being beaten for the 12th time in 13 outings when Manchester United visited Bramall Lane last night.

Despite finding themselves nine points adrift of safety approaching the crucial Christmas period, United’s Saudi Arabian owner recently insisted he wants Wilder to remain at the helm next season; declaring he would look to “hire” the 53-year-old if he wasn’t already in post.

Asked if that means he will remain in charge no matter how the rest of the campaign unfolds, Wilder told journalists he “respected” Prince Abdullah’s intervention but that his own thoughts on the matter have not changed since being appointed in the summer of 2016, when United had just finished 11th in League One.

“I’d only walk if I felt it was the right thing for Sheffield United football club,” Wilder said, describing United’s performance against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side as “a proper” display. “The club means far too much for me for it to be about me. I’m working away, as seen in last night’s performance, there’s still heart and spirit in this group. Going back to the question, that’s genuine because of what I think of this club.”

“It’s always up to the owners to do what they want to do,” Wilder continued. “He isn’t happy with results, I’m not happy with results and the players aren’t happy with results. I appreciate it and respect it, Prince Abdullah’s comment. But my approach doesn’t change and my work doesn’t change.”

After being critical of United’s work against Southampton four days earlier, Wilder was heartened by their response when Solskjaer’s squad arrived in South Yorkshire. David McGoldrick fired United in front before setting up a grandstand finish with his second of the contest after two goals from Marcus Rashford, either side of an Anthony Martial effort, had seen the 20-time champions of England seize control. Lys Mousset nearly snatched a point from United during the closing stages as, despite failing to avoid another loss, they answered questions about their confidence and self belief.

“We must win a game over Christmas,” Wilder said. “We are taking games in isolation. We didn’t go into the Manchester United game thinking we’ll sit on the back foot. We know one point from 13 isn’t good. We know a healthy points total is required over Christmas.”

Midfielder Sander Berge is expected to miss the trip to the AMEX Stadium after injuring a hamstring during the meeting with Manchester United, while striker Oli McBurnie, who sat out that fixture with a shoulder problem, remains a doubt.

“Oli has got more of a chance than Sander,” Wilder said. “But we’ll give them both an opportunity.”

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