Paul Heckingbottom sends clear message on Sheffield United player amid previous social media criticism

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom believes it’s important his side’s supporters know how committed Oli McBurnie has been to the cause by putting himself forward despite experiencing sickness before the QPR clash, speaking to the Yorkshire Post after the match.

The 25-year-old has been the subject of intense social media criticism by some for his performances this term, failing to get on the scoresheet in any of his 26 league matches this term as he has been unable to heavily contribute to the Blades’ cause.

This must be a real source of disappointment for McBurnie who arrived from Swansea City back in 2019 for a fee believed to be in the region of £17m, not being able to repay that investment yet despite being given numerous first-team opportunities this term.

But his presence has been particularly important lately with Rhian Brewster and David McGoldrick out for the remainder of the campaign and Billy Sharp also out of action at this stage, with McBurnie’s absence leaving teenager Daniel Jebbison as Heckingbottom’s only real option up top at the weekend in their 1-0 defeat against Stoke City.

Missing the weekend with a thigh strain, the Scotsman suffered a further blow when he was suffering with a stomach bug just hours before kick-off against Mark Warburton’s men yesterday.

This didn’t faze the forward though, who put himself in contention for the match and this was something Heckingbottom was keen to highlight post-match.

The latter said: “He’s had moments where he’s been battling through, making himself available for the bench.

“He was actually throwing up with a stomach bug today but if he’d declared himself fit I was going to start him and just get out of him what I could. He managed to keep some food down