The theory about Sheffield United Ethan Ampadu disputes as Paul Heckingbottom's team prepares to face Arsenal

United make their fourth outing under Heckingbottom when Arsenal visit Bramall Lane tomorrow, with the second-half of last month’s FA Cup defeat by Chelsea the highlight of his time at the helm so far.

Speaking earlier this week, Heckingbottom told The Star his room for manoeuvre regarding both system and personnel remains limited because of the lengthy casualty list he inherited.

Despite that, Heckingbottom has faced calls to unveil a radical makeover of United’s starting eleven and formation in an attempt to help them regain some pride following a miserable season which is destined - no matter what the result against Mikel Arteta’s side - to end in relegation.

However, Ampadu insisted Heckingbottom is doing things differently; albeit within the framework constructed by Wilder.

“Every manager is different,” the defender, on loan from Stamford Bridge, said. “We play the same formation, yes. But there are different ways to play it. Every manager is different, and they want you to do things their way.”

Having been parachuted into South Yorkshire from west London, and having worked under four different managers for both club and country since September, Ampadu is perfectly placed to comment on the nuances of their footballing philosophies.

Having just completed his first lengthy spell of training under Heckingbottom and his assistant Jason Tindall, the 20-year-old recently returned from international duty with Wales - where former United defender Rob Page has taken the reins on an interim basis while Ryan Giggs attends to some personal legal issues.

“It’s been a tough time for us,” Ampadu said, with United entering this weekend’s round of games 15 points adrift of safety with only eight remaining. “But we have to try and channel the frustration, the anger and the hurt into something positive.

"We can do that, and having people like John coming back in is going to be a real help, because of the type of player and character he is.”

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