By Wayne Veysey

24th Oct, 2023 | 7:00am

Sources: Sheffield United plot Chris Wilder appointment as Heckingbottom faces sack

Sheffield United are expected to sack Paul Heckingbottom if they lose against Arsenal on Saturday and replace him with ex-manager Chris Wilder, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on 27th September that Wilder has been lined up for a sensational return to Bramall Lane.

Heckingbottom is fighting for his job as the Yorkshire club continued their wretched start to the season with Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat to Man United.

Sheffield United have yet to win from nine Premier League matches and have taken just a point so far, leaving them marooned at the bottom of the table.

Perhaps the lowest point of the season so far came when the Blades suffered an 8-0 humiliation at the hands of Newcastle at Bramall Lane last month.

Wilder has been sounded out by club chiefs and is believed to be waiting in the wings to take over from Heckingbottom.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Sheffield United’s owners have patched up their relationship with the 56-year-old after he was sacked as Blades manager back in March 2021.

Wilder was replaced by Heckingbottom but he couldn’t prevent the Yorkshire sides’ relegation at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.

Sheffield United returned to the top flight this season after finishing second in the Championship last term.

Since his last spell at Bramall Lane, Wilder has struggled in unsuccessful spells at Watford and Middlesbrough.

The Blades, who have already conceded 24 goals this term, are in action against Arsenal, Wolves and Brighton before the next international break.

In other news, five Premier League sides eye defender loved by Marcelo Bielsa.