What Prince Abdullah said about the January transfer window as Sheffield United seek Jack O'Connell replacement

Prince Abdullah says he is ready to support his manager in the January transfer window as Chris Wilder looks to arrest Sheffield United's poor start to the current campaign.
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United are bottom of the table and still searching for their first win of the season, having taken just a solitary point from their 12 league games so far.

After finishing ninth in the top flight last season, Wilder's squad has been rocked by the injury to defender Jack O'Connell, while the loss of supporters because of the coronavirus crisis has compounded their misery.

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Wilder is seeking a replacement for O'Connell in the January window - he has tried five different players in the defender's position so far this season - and Prince Abdullah has indicated that funds will be made available.

"We are ready to support the team in January and hopefully help the team," the owner said.

"But what we have now is a good team. The results don't show that but the performances show we have good lads who are playing their hearts out.

"I don't think you can look at the players and say they aren't giving 100 per cent or of good quality, and I'm sure sooner rather than later that logic will prevail and we will have good results."

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The Prince revealed that United intend to secure two loan deals in January, and one may contain an option to make the move permanent if the Blades avoid relegation to the Championship.

H.R.H. Prince Abdullah bin Musa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) with Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Simon Bellis/SportimageH.R.H. Prince Abdullah bin Musa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) with Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
H.R.H. Prince Abdullah bin Musa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (R) with Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

"But there is a risk that we may get relegated so we have to take that into consideration," he added.

"We have more than one option and we'll see how it goes, I don't like to talk about specific players and we will try and pick the best option available.

"We want to have them as soon as possible but we don't want to be rushed into bad signings. It has to be a good signing that will help the team, because we have a good team. We've been unfortunate with a couple of injuries. Time is of the essence but that won't force us to make bad decisions."

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