Sheffield United have refuted claims that chairman Kevin McCabe has appointed bankers to try and sell the Championship club. It has been reported that property tycoon McCabe brought in a corporate finance company to handle a review of the South Yorkshire club's ownership, following claims earlier in the year that the Blades were in financial trouble.

Chief executive Trevor Birch claims United have appointed AKUR Partners to help find partner investors for the club, and that McCabe has no intention to sell his stake.

He told the club's official website: "The suggestion is without foundation and inaccurate.

"As has been previously indicated by Kevin and myself, it is no secret that the club is seeking to further enhance its financial standing by bringing additional investment to the club.

"Such plans were outlined at recent fans' forums held in Sheffield when we made it clear that the brief for the advisory firm was to find investment support to enhance the club's far-reaching plans to further develop our business on and off the pitch.

"As part of the process, which is continuing, the club has appointed an independent corporate finance and equity capital markets advisory firm - AKUR - to help find such partner investors which would bring long-term sustainable benefits for Sheffield United."