Sheffield United have been the undisputed surprise package of the 2019-20 Premier League season, defying all expectations to push for a European spot.

The newly-promoted Blades were heavy favourites to suffer an immediate return to the Championship at the beginning of the campaign, but they have never looked like being dragged into a relegation battle and have instead been fighting at the other end of the table.

Chris Wilder's side went into the coronavirus-enforced lockdown sitting seventh with a game in hand over the teams around them, and if they were to win that then they would climb up to fifth - enough to earn a Champions League spot given Manchester City's European ban.

Newcastle United's entertainers of 1993-94 are the only promoted team to have amassed more points at this stage of a season, and what's more impressive is the fact that Sheffield United have achieved this with almost the same squad as the one which finished as runners-up in the Championship last term.

Here, the Sports Mole team select who they think has been the standout player in an incredible campaign.

Barney Corkhill, Editor: Dean Henderson

Sheffield United's success this season has been built on their defensive unit - the much talked-about overlapping centre-backs and both wing-backs have been superb throughout - but it is the man behind them whose stock has grown most over the course of the campaign.

Dean Henderson's form has been so impressive that he has been tipped to challenge David de Gea for the number one spot at parent club Manchester United next season, although Sheffield United will do all they can to keep him at Bramall Lane for at least another term.

Only Burnley's Nick Pope has kept more clean sheets, while of goalkeepers to have played 20 or more Premier League matches this season, only Alisson Becker has conceded fewer goals and only two players have a higher save percentage.

Matt Law, Football Editor: Dean Henderson

A number of players have had impressive seasons for Sheffield United, but it is very difficult to look past Dean Henderson.

The on-loan Manchester United goalkeeper has kept 10 clean sheets in the top flight this term, a record only bettered by Nick Pope. The 23-year-old has proven that he is every inch a Premier League player and could ultimately replace David de Gea as his parent club's number one stopper.

The likes of John Egan, John Lundstram and John Fleck are certainly worth a mention in this particular category, but Henderson has arguably been the best goalkeeper in the whole Premier League this season, therefore making it very tough to look past him when it comes to Sheffield United's Player of the Season award.

Darren Plant, Senior Reporter: Dean Henderson

There is little doubting that Sheffield United have put themselves into contention for a European place thanks to the team as a whole, rather than because of any individual. However, from a player-of-the-year perspective, it has to be Dean Henderson.

The Manchester United loanee made a blip which cost the Blades against Liverpool earlier in the season, but the 23-year-old has more than made up for that error with 10 clean sheets from 27 outings.

In total, he has conceded just 22 goals, and there is a strong argument that Henderson has been the best goalkeeper in the Premier League this season.

Dan Lewis, Senior Reporter: John Fleck

Sheffield United have very much been a sum of their parts this term, with a group of relative unknown players adapting to Premier League football with ease.

For me, though, John Fleck has just about been United's star player. Not only does he control play from central midfield, the Scotland international also chips in with some important goals.

Indeed, he is the Blades' joint-top scorer this season, scoring in draws with Manchester United and Arsenal to keep his side on course for European football next season.

Ben Knapton, Reporter: Dean Henderson

Sheffield United have enjoyed a fantastic campaign and are deservedly in the mix for a European spot, and that has been largely down to the form of Dean Henderson, who is also my choice for the Premier League's Goalkeeper of the Season.

The on-loan Manchester United shot-stopper is second only to Nick Pope in the clean sheet charts with 10 shutouts this season, and if current form is anything to go by, Henderson would almost certainly challenge David de Gea for the number one spot at Old Trafford.

That being said, every member of the Blades backline has excelled this term, while John Fleck has made an immediate impact in the middle of the park.

It seems unfair to narrow it down to just one player in Chris Wilder's side, but Henderson has established himself as one of the Premier League's most exciting up-and-coming goalkeepers.