Sheffield United striker Rhian Brewster finds himself at the heart of a political war and fighting a personal battle

“A natural born goalscorer,” was Jurgen Klopp’s description, lamenting his departure from Liverpool. “He’s a top, top talent,” gushed former team mate Jordan Henderson, sounding even more impressed than the German by Brewster’s progress at Anfield.

Although the duo meant well, their comments created the impression United had signed the finished article. Combined with the timing of his arrival, and the fact Chris Wilder’s side were clearly short of firepower entering the new season, the pressure quickly mounted on Brewster’s 20-year-old shoulders. Nearly 30 weeks later, and with the youngster entering Saturday’s game against Southampton still waiting to open his account for the club, one can imagine it has become almost intolerable.

Although it will do nothing to ease the tension Brewster must be feeling whenever he steps onto the pitch, the England under-21 international is also at the heart of the politicking off it which, it became clear this week, has cast a shadow over Wilder’s own future. Speaking to the media before Wednesday’s win over Aston Villa, the United manager made it abundantly clear - without explicitly saying so - that his position could become untenable if the board of directors do not endorse the blueprint he has devised to deliver another promotion when relegation is mathematically confirmed. With only 11 matches of their season remaining, United finished their meeting with Dean Smith’s men 12 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the table.

“I don’t know,” Wilder had responded, when asked if he will remain at the helm next term. “Head down and onto the Villa game. Then what will be will be. I want to stay, definitely. If we stick to the plan.”

The details of that strategy revolve around retaining the best players at his disposal and supplementing them with some handpicked new faces. Wilder had hoped to begin that process in January, bringing in a midfielder and a defender to provide cover for the injured Jack O’Connell. But United’s hierarchy, after consulting with owner HRH Prince Abdullah bin Musa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, prohibited him from doing so. Insisting he wants Wilder to continue despite United’s disappointing results of late, the Saudi Arabian nevertheless confirmed that concerns about their recent track record in the transfer market had influenced his decision.

The investment United made in Brewster, and its subsequent returns, is likely to have been at the forefront of Prince Abdullah’s mind during those discussions. Although pretty unremarkable when compared to others across the division, the businessman and his colleagues have provided Wilder with considerable financial backing by United’s own standards since seizing control in the autumn of 2019. Acquired at a cost of £23.5m, Brewster is the most expensive of the eight figure deals they have sanctioned, with four other players brought in for £10m or more.