The 10 Blades stars who could easily be crowned Sheffield United's player of the year

The Blades were in with a shot of qualifying for Europe up until defeat to Everton on Monday - their 37th game of a remarkable campaign, following promotion from the Championship last season.

United recently opened up the vote for the club's player of the year award to supporters - but who should take home the crown? Here, in no particular order, we make the case for 10 players to take the title.

John Egan

The Republic of Ireland international has enjoyed a superb debut season at Premier League level, after working his way up the divisions following his departure from Sunderland as a youngster. He has kept some top-class talent quiet and even added a couple of goals to his game, scoring in successive games against Burnley and Wolves towards the end of the season. Needs to score more, by his own admission, but looks very much at home in the top flight.

David McGoldrick

At some clubs, a striker with two league games to his name to date wouldn't be anywhere near the vote for a club's player of the year. But this is no ordinary team, and McGoldrick is no ordinary player. One of the most popular blokes in the club, the striker offers so much more to United than just goals and his link-up play is exceptional at times. Also netted twice in United's run to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Ollie Norwood

Made a mockery of any doubts about his ability to compete at Premier League level, having previously been jettisoned by both Brighton and Fulham after helping them win promotion. Recently completed his 2000th pass of the season and keeps United ticking over, switching the ball beautifully. His delivery from set-pieces is usually threatening, and to play the role he does in the Premier League - demanding the ball and looking to make things happen with it - takes a lot of bravery as well as ability.

Dean Henderson

Another of United's squad experiencing his first taste of Premier League football, Henderson has made stunning saves at times this season and also, more impressively, bounced back from the odd mistake with character as well as ability. Henderson's displays for United this season would have surely won him a first England cap had football not been shut down by Covid-19, and may yet earn him a lucrative move elsewhere if Manchester United sell him.

George Baldock

Possesses the pace and power to stand a chance of making it at this level, but also showed that he has the ability and intelligence to back it up. His defensive job on Wilf Zaha earlier in the season stands out in the memory as one of United's outstanding displays of the season, and his goal away at Norwich was a superb piece of awareness, individual skill and composure.

John Lundstram

Deserves including in the running for the award for his early-season form, even if he did lose his place to record signing Sander Berge after his arrival in January. For some a surprise starter on the opening day at Bournemouth, Lundstram never looked back and scored United's first home goal back in the Premier League to secure their first victory of the season at home to Crystal Palace. Two-footed, powerful and mobile, Lundstram is under contract at United for another season - and only time will tell where his long-term future lies.

Chris Basham

Recently described in these pages as the heartbeat of this Sheffield United side. Defensively, Basham's stats compare with the very best in the Premier League and offensively, he offers so much. To watch him glide down the right wing is a joy and his heat map in the recent win over Wolves at Bramall Lane was one that Adama Traore would have been proud of. Like the rest of his fellow defenders, needs to add goals to his game - but gives absolutely everything to the cause, with no shortage of skill either.

John Fleck

Another included more for his form pre-lockdown, after a couple of injuries since the restart stunted his form. But for a period around Christmas and the new year in particular, Fleck was exceptional and his display against Manchester City at The Etihad, considering the calibre of players he was up against, earned him a rare 10/10 in The Star's player ratings. Also developed a taste for goals after having his position slightly altered and looks an even better player for it.

Jack O'Connell

Anyone doubting how important O'Connell is to United needs only to re-watch the tape of their games without him after lockdown, when he suffered a knee injury. Although Jack Robinson did not disgrace himself, there is simply no-one around who plays the O'Connell role better than O'Connell. Defensively he has stood up to every test posed of him throughout the season, and the longer he goes without an England call-up, the more bizarre it will seem.

Enda Stevens

Stevens didn't quite hit the heights post-lockdown that he showed before the Premier League was suspended, but for his season overall he is a worthy inclusion on the shortlist. Ever since he made a mug of César Azpilicueta away at Chelsea, Stevens grew and grew by the game and at one stage, had his own highlights reel of flicks and tricks. Scored what will surely be United's goal of the season at home to Brighton and Hove Albion and regularly outperformed his fellow left-backs in the Premier League.

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