Every Sheffield United fan will have their own opinion about who has been the best player so far for the Blades this season.
United’s promotion push has hit a couple of hurdles in the past couple of weeks as they returned from the international break injury ravaged and without a win in three after a draw with Birmingham City and two defeats to QPR and Stoke City.
However, the hugely impressive start to the campaign gave them a buffer and Paul Heckingbottom’s side remain top of the division, albeit on goal difference.
During that sterling run of fine form, there have been a decent number of consistently excellent performers right from the goalkeeper through to the frontline.
Consecutive Manager of the Month awards for August and Spetember for boss Heckingbottom suggests it’s very much a team effort.
“The players, staff and supporters all deserve credit, we’ve got an impressive environment at Bramall Lane and hopefully we will continue to pick up points as we work towards the World Cup break,” he said after picking up the second of those prizes.
But who has stood out individually? We looked at the average rating on stats site whoscored.com to pick out the top 10 best players so far this season, taking those who have played six matches or more.
Ever-present this season, John Egan has contined to be solid and dependable in the centre of the defence with his performances ever more impressive given the number of enforced changes to the backline this season Photo: Andrew Yates
He may not have the highest rating here, according to Who Scored? but there's no doubting he's the most exciting player in the Blades ranks as the Senegal international followed up his breakthrough season last term with yet more stunning displays. Photo: Isaac Parkin
It would be fair to say that many Sheffield United fans had given up on Oli McBurnie but crucially his manager hasn't and the striker repaid that faith in goals with his drought broken and then added to, making him the joint-top scorer with five. Photo: Simon Bellis
We all knew what Sander Berge was capable of, we just hadn't seen it consistently... until now. The driving runs from midfield and the odd goal, too - he's been involved in six of United's this season, wither scoring or assisting - prompting an early entry into the rumour mill with AC Milan apparently sniffing around again Photo: Simon Bellis