Last season was something of a breakthrough campaign for Iliman Ndiaye as he linked-up well with loanee Morgan Gibbs-White. However, this year the Senegal international, currently at the Word Cup with his country, has gone up a few more levels with a host of stunning perfomances as the Blades aim for promotion back to the Championship.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom said it was the player's hard work and taking on board what his coaches wanted from him that has seen Ndiaye become one of the division’s most exciting stars.
“The talent was there, it was just about teaching him the game,” he said. “When I came in, I had to go after the young players. They were nowhere near the level, in terms of the training and how they played.
“Application, too. Nowhere near. Within a few days of working with Iliman, he’d responded. How he plays now, and what has made everyone talk about him, that’s what he started doing.”
As for McBurnie, the Scotland international had been at a low ebb and on a goalless run that looked like never ending. That was until he struck against Luton Town near the beginning of this season and since then he hasn’t looked back.
Heckingbottom told The Star last month: "He's showing you what he is. That previously wasn't him; he was letting himself down and it's not the goals that have led to a shift, it's a shift in him and his approach to everything. That's led to the goals.
"He's done it himself, he's made a lot of changes and responded well and I think he's got the bit between his teeth again, which is great to see."
We looked at the goal contributions of the top ranking players in the Championship to see how Ndiaye and McBurnie compare.
13. Jay Rodriguez - Burnley - 10 Goal Contributions
After struggling to find the net in the Premier League over the past couple of seasons, Jay Rodriguez has found the Championship a better fit, with nine goals and an assist provided for league leaders Burnley Photo: Nathan Stirk
14. Oli McBurnie - Sheffield United - 10 Goal Contributions
Oli McBurnie had gone an age without a Sheffield United goal and now he can't stop scoring. Nine goals and an assist have put to bed all the troubles he had faced in front of goal and brought the Blades fans back onside Photo: Catherine Ivill
15. Carlton Morris - Luton Town - 11 Goal Contributions
Fomer Barnsley man Carlton Morris has maintain Luton Town's push for another play-off place this season with eight goals and three assists for the Hatters Photo: Andrew Redington
16. Josh Sargent - Norwich City - 11 Goal Contributions
Another man at the World Cup, USA striker Josh Sargent has perhaps found that the Championship is the perfect fit for him as he has provided the Canaries with nine goals and two assists Photo: Marc Atkins