Sheffield United

Ben Meakin, BladesPod, external

It looks like the end of the road for Paul Heckingbottom, with Chris Wilder widely believed to become his replacement as well as his predecessor. I will leave my thoughts on Wilder for another time – honestly, it’s complicated – as I want to give Heckingbottom his dues if this is indeed how it ends.

It was unfathomable that Heckingbottom would continue as manager after a disastrous week in which we lost two games against relegation rivals by an aggregate score of 8-1, which, if anything, somewhat flattered us. But that should not sour the previous season and a half of Heckingbottom – he should leave with his dignity intact and plenty of respect from our fans.

He took over with the squad floundering in 16th place in the Championship, following on from a horrendous Premier League season and a slide that previous manager Slavisa Jokanovic was unable to halt.

Heckingbottom, though, had an immediate effect – and the same set of players who had looked completely shot under Jokanovic (and Wilder, it is fair to say) ended the season in the play-off semi-finals and were a penalty shootout away from Wembley.

The next season we finished second with 91 points – more than league-winners Fulham had accrued the previous year – and reached the FA Cup semi-final, all against a background of a transfer embargo, substandard training facilities, unpaid suppliers and an owner actively trying to sell.

As our former under-23s boss, he gave youth a chance with scores of teenage Blades making their debuts during his time. And it should not be overlooked that it was under Heckingbottom’s stewardship that Iliman Ndiaye transformed from academy product to Champions League player in the space of 18 months.

I was not remotely enamoured by Heckingbottom’s appointment in November 2021 – it felt like a cheap, desperate option that would merely signal the next bend in our post-Wilder downward spiral.

Instead, he oversaw a return to the Premier League and the much-needed funds that it brings.

A victim of his own success, he’s handled himself with dignity throughout. I cannot argue that he has looked out of his depth this season, but he is certainly responsible for United getting into this position in the first place.

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We asked for your opinion as Paul Heckingbottom seems set to be the first managerial casualty of the season.

Here are your thoughts:

Harry: It is very unfair if Heckingbottom is sacked - he achieved promotion last season then had to take a weakened side into a higher league. How on earth was he ever going to succeed? So last season's success is now rendered worthless! Will a new manager be given money to spend when Heckingbottom wasn't allowed that luxury? Show loyalty please.

Andy: Hecky has been treated badly by the owners who seem to lack ambition. That said the players must shoulder responsibility for a lack of grit and determination. Blades fans demand and expect much more. Maybe Chris Wilder will put some much-needed fight back into this team.

Dave: I feel incredibly sorry for Hecky. It was only a few months ago we were singing his praises when he got us promoted under difficult circumstances. He also gave us some great memories with the run to the FA Cup semi final. He has been set up to fail by the owner and board. The players also need to take a good look at themselves as well.

John: Yes. Unfortunately Hecky has to go but please don’t even think about Wilder or Neil Warnock. That’s a retrograde step and will not solve the short or long term problems of the club. From the chairman down, and including certain players, we need to start again ready for next year.

Peter: It’s not Heckingbottom - he was just the one who was holding the parcel when the music stopped. Even Pep couldn’t have succeeded under the present ownership and the next manager is doomed to failure before he starts. Only Blades fans can believe that “lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for”. So, start from scratch with Nick Montgomery.

We want to hear your thoughts on Sheffield United's chances of avoiding relegation this season.

Choose the option that best suits how you feel

Click here to tell us what you think - and suggest who could replace him at Bramall Lane

The BBC Radio Sheffield team have put out an emergency Blades Heaven podcast episode given the expected managerial change at Bramall Lane.

Rob Staton explains defeats in games where the Blades were expected to be competitive have changed the dynamic and led to Paul Heckingbottom's exit.

Listen to Blades Heaven in full here

This is BBC Sport's dedicated Sheffield United page. On the app? Hit the bell icon to get news sent to you. Signed in on a browser, hit 'Follow' to save the page.

Andy Giddings, BBC Radio Sheffield Sport

The departure pending of Paul Heckingbottom is harsh. I think Heckingbottom and the staff and players have done as super job in trying circumstances over the past 12 or 18 months. That should be remembered fondly.

Some of the comments over the weekend are wilfully disrespectful and frankly stupid.

Chris Wilder coming in, I appreciate some fans have reticence because of some things in their mind they have from before. My own personal opinion is I think it's an excellent appointment.

When Wilder came in last time he was like a whirling dervish. His manner if you like lifted everybody. In much the same way, that's kind of what they need now. I don't think, should Heckingbottom want a job in football soon that he will need to wait long to get one.

His departure is harsh. Chris back is good.

Listen to Blades Heaven from BBC Radio Sheffield here

This is BBC Sport's dedicated Sheffield United page. On the app? Hit the bell icon to get news sent to you. Signed in on a browser, hit 'Follow' to save the page.

Simon Stone, BBC Sport

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom is set to become the first Premier League managerial casualty of the season within the next 24 hours.

Heckingbottom’s side were hammered 5-0 by relegation rivals Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, since when there has been huge speculation over his future.

It is thought the Blades hierarchy have resolved to make a change, with former boss Chris Wilder amongst the leading contenders to take over.

What do you think Blades fans? Tell us here

This is BBC Sport's dedicated Sheffield United page. On the app? Hit the bell icon to get news sent to you. Signed in on a browser, hit 'Follow' to save the page.

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United fell to their 11th defeat of the season against fellow relegation battlers Burnley, with striker Oli McBurnie picking up a red card along the way.

Paul Heckingbottom's side are bottom of the Premier League table having won just one of their 14 games so far, conceding a league-high 39 goals.

Newcastle United record goalscorer Alan Shearer has been analysing Sheffield United's performance on Match of the Day: "They were a disgrace. From the very first minute, we saw that they lost three tackles within three or four seconds. That sort of summed them up.

"Also, like the manager said, too many players let them down, in particular when they got that red card."

Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy added: "It was a ridiculous red card really because the first yellow card he gets away with one and it could easily be a red card. I think Dara O'Shea does him a favour by not rolling all over the pitch. He took it like a man, if you like, but McBurnie could have been sent off there.

"But then, after getting that lucky break, he decides to lead with his arm again. I mean you are just asking for trouble. When your side is 2-0 down, you need everyone to pull together and, as the manager said, some players have played their way out."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer

We asked for your thoughts on Saturday's game between Burnley and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

Miller H: Burnley have almost got points but this win shows how they can get out of the drop zone. Its a real booster for the team and the manager. Football is a game of confidence and Burnley now have it.

Bob: All the chatter can stop now. Keep the faith Burnley fans.

Peter: What a relief! At last we've found our shooting boots and converted good football into goals. Yes, Sheffield United gave us lots of "help" but we were relentless. Great performance - onwards and upwards!

Clarky: Brilliant. I'm buzzing my head off.. now that's what we are about .. that's what we do when we become a unit that runs smoothly and most of all we stick together. That is claret and blue right there. I'm proud to be a Claret. Well done Vincent Kompany.

Peter Dawson: Good overall performance against a very poor Sheffield United. Nice to see Koleosho get a goal his performances have warranted.

Sheffield United fans

David: For the first time in years , I sense we are witnessing the start of a reversal of Sheffield dominance. Wednesday have found a manager who is giving them a winning mentality. In Heckingbottom , we have a loser.

Eric: No passion, no guts, players need to have a long good look at themselves. Probably just cost Heckingbottom his job. Please no Wilder or Warnock.

Simon: Blades have a Championship squad at best. So what’s the point in sacking Heckingbottom? He is a decent manager. Keep him for next season when he should come into his own again.

Brian: Losing heavily again to a side at the bottom end of the league confirms what we already know. The Blades are simply not good enough to be in the Premier League and will surely be relegated. The level of indiscipline, particularly McBurnie is an added problem that must be addressed by Heckingbottom, if he’s still around next week at this time.

Neil: The season is panning out just as I expected. The owner has brought this all on. Will be interesting to see how he intends to improve things if he doesn't get the sale of the club he wants. Totally selfish of him. He is destroying all the great work that was developing through Wilder and Heckingbottom!

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And Match of the Day 2 brings you a round-up of Sunday's games here.

Listen back to Saturday's commentaries in full on BBC Sounds:

Arsenal 2-1 Wolves

Nottingham Forest 0-1 Everton

Listen to Sunday's commentaries here:

Liverpool 4-3 Fulham

Manchester City 3-3 Tottenham

Image source, Getty Images

Sheffield United have been drawn to face League Two side Gillingham at Priestfield Stadium in the FA Cup third round.

The game will take place on the weekend of 6-7 January.

Read the full draw here

Image source, Getty Images

All Premier League and Championship clubs will enter the hat for the FA Cup third-round draw on Sunday, 3 December.

The draw will take place from around 12.55pm GMT, prior to kick-off between Eastleigh and Reading.

The third-round matches are set to be played on the weekend of 6 and 7 January.

Shamoon Hafez, BBC Sport at Turf Moor

The manner in which Sheffield United fell away after going a man down was alarming and leaves manager Paul Heckingbottom clinging on to his job.

Skipper Oli Norwood's powerful drive from long range was pushed away by James Trafford and Cameron Archer blazed over from 12 yards before losing their heads with a show of petulance.

John Fleck received a yellow for a late tackle from behind on Dara O'Shea and Oli McBurnie senselessly struck the Republic of Ireland international twice before the break. In all, the away side received seven yellow cards and a red.

McBurnie's sending off robbed his side of a potential fightback in the second half and with so much on the line, it has to go down as one of the most absurd red cards received considering the situation.

The Blades - who next face a daunting home match against Liverpool on Wednesday - have a huge task on their hands for survival, winning only one of their 14 games so far and conceding a league-high 39 goals.

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom speaking to Sky Sports: "We plan and pick a team who can handle and impose ourselves on the game. We wanted to put a marker down in our duels.

"We dangled two legs and we were down within 30 seconds. The second goal was not too much better. Then we lost a man with two yellow cards. We made it easier for Burnley than they would have expected."

On Oli McBurnie's red card: "We all know the rules. You can't appeal the yellows, you have to be careful. You have to know you can't raise your arms."

On playing Liverpool on Wednesday: "Sometimes it's a good thing, we can't be feeling sorry for ourselves. It looked like one or two [players] were towards the end."

On his future at the club: "There has been talk and speculation on that since the start of September. I'm the wrong man to ask. I'll just continue doing what we're doing with the resources we've got.

"I can always hold my head up high. I always give my best. That won't change."

Image source, Getty Images

Former Chelsea striker Chris Sutton on Final Score: "I think Paul Heckingbottom is a goner.

"Losing consecutively, and so convincingly, to two relegation rivals in Bournemouth and now today against Burnley, I don't think he can survive that.

"To be humiliated like they were at home to Bournemouth last week, and now to concede five goals today, I think patience will run out."

• Jay Rodriguez scored after 15.8 seconds for Burnley, the 15th fastest goal in Premier League history. The goal came 10 years and one day after he scored after 13.7 seconds for Southampton against Chelsea, the 12th fastest goal in Premier League history.

• Burnley’s 5-0 win against Sheffield United represents the joint-largest margin of victory in Premier League history by a team starting the day bottom of the table.

• Oli McBurnie became the first Sheffield United player to be sent off twice in a single Premier League season, after also being sent off against Tottenham in September.

• Burnley ended a run of nine consecutive defeats at Turf Moor in the Premier League. They are the last of the 92 clubs in England’s top four tiers to win a home league game this season.

• Sheffield United have lost 26 of their last 31 Premier League away games (W2 D3). They have also kept just one clean sheet across those 31 matches.

Burnley thrashed 10-man Sheffield United to record a significant Premier League win and pile huge pressure on Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom.

The Clarets had lost their past six league games, and all seven at home this term, but moved off the bottom of the table with a priceless second victory of the season over their fellow relegation candidates.

Striker Rodriguez's stooping header from Charlie Taylor's pinpoint cross was the fastest in the top flight this season and gave Burnley a blistering start and a lead which they did not relinquish.

On-loan winger Jacob Bruun Larsen doubled their lead with a cool finish after latching on to Dara O'Shea's long ball over the top as Burnley took total control.

The Blades were visibly frustrated and saw Oli McBurnie sent off for two moments of madness - the striker was fortunate to receive only a yellow card for an elbow into the face of O'Shea, but he inexplicably repeated the act in a separate challenge and was dismissed before half-time.

Burnley were dominant in the second period as Zeki Amdouni confidently drilled in a low finish, Luca Koleosho smashed in at the near post after hitting the woodwork and Josh Brownhill struck a fifth.

Burnley leapfrog their opponents into 18th place, two points adrift of safety, while Sheffield United remain just a point off the foot of the table.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Burnley fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Blades fans?

Follow all the reaction here

There are five games being played out in the Premier League on Saturday and we'll bring you every moment.

Follow all of the action and reaction here.

Live commentaries:

Arsenal v Wolves - BBC Radio 5 Live

Nottingham Forest v Everton - BBC Radio 5 Live

Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom insists he is having "no different conversations" to normal with the board, despite sitting in the Premier League relegation zone after 13 games.

Former Blades striker Danny Webber tells The Football News Show that while Heckingbottom does need to win more matches, their plight this season is a direct result of their transfer activity in the summer.