As the battle between co-owners HRH Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Kevin McCabe for control of Sheffield United continues as it has all season long, it makes the accomplishments of manager Chris Wilder and his players all the more impressive.

Following winning League 1 in the 2016-17 season, the Blades returned to the Championship and were very much in the thick of the fight for a play-off place throughout the season before just fading over the last few games to finish 10th only 6 points behind Derby County in 6th position.

United also had a decent FA Cup run and no matter who takes full control of the club they will surely want Chris Wilder to remain at the helm of the team.

This may not be so simple however with Sunderland apparently ready to offer a big contract and compensation to secure the Blades boss as their new manager and other teams also eyeing the in-demand Wilder.

The players at Bramall Lane are keen for their boss to remain in charge of the club and the captain and lifelong Blades fan, Billy Sharp had this to say in regards to his manager Chris Wilder:

“We want him to be the manager,”

“We’ve had success this year and we had success under him last year as well. It’s not for me to get involved in anything that’s going on at a higher level. But we want him to be here and I’m sure he wants to stay.”

“He brings so much to the group,”

“He suits us, he suits this group of players, and I think we suit him as well. We bring out the best in each other.

“He’s got so much drive and desire to do well and, although we’ve got it as well, it certainly helps to have that coming down from the top. We might not agree with everything he says at times but that’s him. It’s because he wants the best, it’s because he demands such high standards from us and because he wants the best for the lads and the club.”

“He spoke to us in the dressing room at the end of the game and he told us he was proud of how we’ve done,” Sharp went on to say.

“Because there’s such a connection, that bond is really strong, that meant a lot. We also had a few words with him. He knows what we think.”

Transfer targets are unlikely to be keen to join the team until the ownership matter is concluded so we must hope things are sorted quickly.

There can be no doubt that Chris Wilder is a wanted man at Sheffield United but will the battle for control between warring owners force the manager to look elsewhere in search of stability and clarity?

The dreams of all Blades fans are likely to be the same as the players – they will be hoping Wilder gets the assurances he needs from the board, staying true to the club he has always supported and continues as the Sheffield United boss.