Jamie Carragher on why Sheffield United's Chris Wilder could be Premier League manager of the year

FORMER Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher feels that Sheffield United's Chris Wilder is more than a worthy candidate for Premier League manager of the season.

The Blades have been the Premier League's surprise package in their first top-flight campaign since the 2006-07 season.

United are just two points from fifth spot, currently a Champions League place after Manchester City were banned from the competition for two seasons, with a game in hand.

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And despite Liverpool being 25 points clear at the top of the table, Reds legend Carragher believes that there is an argument for Wilder to be named manager of the season.

Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder. Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images.Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder. Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder. Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images.

"You could argue Chris Wilder is manager of the year in some ways, even with what Jurgen Klopp is doing and Pep Guardiola is doing in cup competitions," the European Cup winner told Sky Sports.

"I just think Sheffield United as a whole have been a breath of fresh air in the Premier League."

Carragher made the comments when naming his Premier League team of the season, in which there was a place for Blades goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

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The Manchester United loanee has enjoyed a fine campaign at Bramall Lane, keeping 10 clean sheets and helping the Blades boast the second-best defensive record in the division.

Dean Henderson. Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images.Dean Henderson. Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images.
Dean Henderson. Picture: Nigel Roddis/Getty Images.

The South Yorkshire club have let in 25 league goals this term and only Liverpool, with 21, have conceded fewer.

Burnely goalkeeper Nick Pope currently leads the Golden Glove standings with 11 clean sheets while Liverpool's Allison Becker has kept 10 clean sheets despite playing seven games fewer than Henderson.

But Carragher set out his reasons for having the Sheffield United man in his team of the season.

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"I actually think Liverpool have the best goalkeeper in the world right now in Alisson, but he's missed a lot of football this season," Carragher explained.

Jamie Carragher. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images.Jamie Carragher. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images.
Jamie Carragher. Picture: Michael Regan/Getty Images.

"He did not start the season and before the break we have now he was out as well, and that probably culminated in Liverpool going out of the Champions League to Atletico Madrid.

"When he has played, he's shown he is the best goalkeeper in the Premier League and the world, but because he has missed so many games, I'm going with Dean Henderson of Sheffield United.

"As a club, they deserve someone to be in this team, they have been a revelation. They have got a really good defensive record, he's kept a lot of clean sheets."

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