Paul Heckingbottom says he still has the support of Sheffield United’s owners

The Blades suffered their worst league defeat as they were put to the sword by the Magpies at Bramall Lane to extend their winless start to the season on their Premier League return.

But, despite speculation linking former boss Chris Wilder with a return to the club, Heckingbottom’s job is safe and he spoke to owner Prince Abdullah and chief executive Stephen Bettis in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat.

“Prince Abdullah was on the phone to me straight after the game, we speak regularly, that is not an issue,” Heckingbottom said. “The support is there, I spoke to Stephen as well.

“That is not my concern, my job is this building and the unity within this building.

“We understand we need to be better, we are all in agreement on that. We need to be a team that suffers these results and goes on to achieve their goal, which in our case is to stay in the division.”

Things do not get any easier for the Blades this weekend, with a visit to West Ham on Saturday.

Heckingbottom says the game is no more important than any other.

“None more so in terms of the others, we need to make sure we respond to that performance we weren’t happy with, that’s the most important thing,” he said.

“We can’t be sorry for ourselves, no one is going to feel sorry for us, we have to expect and plan for West Ham at their best and focus on our performance.”

They are boosted by the return of striker Oli McBurnie from suspension, while Gus Hamer should be OK after a recent thigh injury.

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