White refuses to accept future away from Leeds

The left-back refused to accept that his long-term future would lie away from Elland Road after moving to Sheffield United on a two-month emergency deal.

White took up the chance of a switch to South Yorkshire this week with his opportunities at Leeds increasingly limited and United manager Brian McDermott willing to allow him to drop temporarily into League One.

The 22-year-old said he had no issue with McDermott’s management but described his situation at United as “frustrating” following a three-month spell in which he has played only three times.

White’s inactive role this season mirrors his irregular involvement last term and he is already five years on from his spectacular breakthrough in 2008.

The new three-year contract he signed last summer is close to entering its final 18 months.

Sheffield United are likely to hand White an immediate debut during their clash at Shrewsbury Town on Saturday and the youngster said: “I’m glad to be back involved and looking forward to playing again.

“Brian (McDermott) is a good manager and I do like him but obviously I’ve not been playing this year or involved as much as I would have liked. It’s been frustrating.

“I need to be playing games and Sheffield United are a great club to go to. The loan is to January 1 and we’ll evaluate the situation then. My focus is on the challenge ahead.”

White’s prospects at Leeds have been hampered by a long- running debate about his most effective position.

He has been used as a left-back, a winger and an attacking midfielder during stages of his career but he stressed to McDermott his desire to play regularly on the left side of defence after resisting a loan move to Barnsley on the last day of the summer transfer window.

The left-back role at Leeds has been occupied by Stephen Warnock throughout McDermott’s time as manager, however, and White’s departure is a firm vote of confidence in United’s former England international.

“I see my strongest position as left-back, coming onto the ball and seeing things in front of me,” White said.

“Everybody’s got their opinion about where I’m best but for my future development, left-back is probably the best position for me to be playing.”

Sheffield United’s new manager, Nigel Clough, is a long-term admirer of White’s.

Clough considered signing the defender in 2012 while he was manager of Derby County and White was out of contract at Elland Road.

Derby were ultimately scared off by concerns about how much compensation they would be forced to pay for a player under the age of 24, and White later accepted a three-year deal with Leeds.

“It was close,” White said, referring to his proposed move to Pride Park.

“It was a case of whether I’d sign a new deal at Leeds or join Derby.

“At the time I thought that signing at Leeds would be the right decision so I went with that.

“You always want to go to a club where you’re wanted and play under a manager that likes you so that was an attractive feature of the move to Sheffield United.

“Leading up to the move, McDermott said he’d spoken to Clough and said how much he really wanted me.

“Straightaway I was keen.

White added: “I just need to be back playing and at Leeds, the situation was that I wasn’t involved. The best thing to do was move.”

Sheffield United are currently 20th in the League One table.

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