New Sheffield United owner prepared to spend to avoid drop

Prince Abdullah has insisted he will support Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder in the winter transfer window with “anything he needs” but promised to spend wisely.

A bitter 18-month battle for the ownership of the club ended on Monday after a High Court judge ruled Kevin Mccabe must sell his share to his co-owner – who bought 50 per cent in 2013 – for £5million.

Prince Abdullah will now try to help his manager – who has won two promotions at Bramall Lane – keep the club in the top flight.

“Chris is a great coach and is getting better. For us it’s lucky we find a coach like Chris,” he told Sky Sports. “The transfer budget for this year was £30 million and I fought hard with my ex-partner to increase to £40million. It’s much more than many Premier League clubs have spent and in January we will look at our position in the table and I will talk to Chris and we’ll do anything Chris needs.

“Always you have to remember to be reasonable and responsible. It’s not about spending, it’s about spending wisely, but it’s about also getting ready if we are relegated. We don’t want to buy players who will leave if we get relegated. We will do whatever is needed, but we will be prepared for the future.” Support: Chris Wilder will be backed in the transfer market by Prince Abdullah

The judge also said Prince Abdullah’s UTB firm would have to buy the club’s property assets, which include Bramall Lane stadium and the Sheffield United hotel, from Sheffield United Ltd. Prince Abdullah added: “Bramall Lane is Bramall Lane, for me the most prestigious stadium in the world and we will only make it better. We can make the fan experience much better and we will work on every angle of the club. It will take a lot of work, but I think facilities can be better. The boxes can be better, the store can be much better. Sheffield United as a club deserves better facilities and the management deserve better than they had before.”

But the Saudi prince will not plan on increasing his presence at Bramall Lane, revealing his son-in-law would be there alongside his daughter: “I intend to appoint my son-in law as chairman and he and my daughter will move to Sheffield and live there and they will be at all the games.”