Nothing to be gained from internal strife at Sheffield United

Sheffield United owner Prince Abdullah bin Musa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (centre): Andrew Yates / Sportimage

One thing Sheffield United must avoid this summer is any sense, perceived or otherwise, of a stand-off at the top of the club.

And the good news is I don’t see this as a risk, however far apart owner and manager might seem in planning for the Premier League.

Blunt but never personal in style, Paul Heckingbottom is simply doing the job he is paid for in pushing for the needs of the football operation.

Important lessons have been learned on all sides since the painful and acrimonious split with Chris Wilder just over two years ago.

The Sheffield United players and manager Chris Wilder wave to the fans during the promotion parade in Sheffield City Centre. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Tuesday May 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Sheff Utd. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire.

Fans may be unaware of this but I understand all the parties involved, including owner Prince Abdullah and chief executive Stephen Bettis, have long been back on cordial terms.

There is a recognition, I believe from everyone, that things could have been handled differently.

Certainly Wilder privately accepts that his approach could have been less confrontational.

Nothing to be gained from internal strife at Sheffield United - Alan Biggs