Blades sacking stopped Fleetwood's Scougall signing

Scougall had fallen from favour with Blades manager Adkins but regained his love for the game during his two- month loan spell at Highbury last season.

And until Chris Wilder replaced Adkins at Bramall Lane in May, it appeared that diminutive midfielder Scougall would be wearing the red and white of Fleetwood on a permanent basis in 2016-17.

The 23-year-old Scot said that talks between the two League One clubs were under way before Adkins’ sacking, though new boss Wilder is understood to be keen to give Scougall another chance.

The player joined the Blades from Scottish club Livingston on a three and a half year deal in January 2014, and Pressley says the change of manager has put the skids under any potential deal ... for now.

Pressley told The Gazette: “He was very much a player on our radar. There was no doubt he made a good impression when he was here.

“Had Nigel remained at the club, we would definitely have been interested in bringing him here, but with the change of personnel there he is back in the manager’s thoughts and just now he is not available.”

Scougall’s experience under Adkins in South Yorkshire was far removed from his intoxicating highs when Nigel Clough was in charge in 2013-14, and the Scot was a focal point of the side which enjoyed an exhilarating run to the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

But the Blades’ new manager has provided Scougall with some soothing words, confirming that the Scot features in his plans.

His message has certainly been well received by the 23-year-old, who started pre-season training with his Blades team-mates at the end of last month.

Scougall, whose last appearance for United came back in February, told the Sheffield Star it was a no-brainer to remain at Bramall Lane after Adkins’ exit.

He said: “Before Adkins was sacked, there was dialogue between United and Fleetwood.

“They were obviously trying to do something.

“But the (new) manager has said he wants to keep me and I would rather be at Sheffield United.

“It is the biggest team in League One and bigger than most in the division above, so really it was a no-brainer.

“I was overlooked by Adkins and towards the end I felt I was not getting a chance. I was not getting a sniff. It is tough and you can fall out of love with things.”

Scougall scored once in his 10 Town appearances.