Chris Wilder described Sheffield United, Man United transfer a "big one" - it helped land them the ultimate prize | OneFootball

Dean Henderson proved crucial as Sheffield United achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2019.

After a fantastic 2017/18 campaign following Sheffield United's return to the Championship, Chris Wilder's Blades went into 2018/19 hopeful that a promotion charge could be on the cards.

Arriving on loan from Manchester United, Dean Henderson was one of eight arrivals in the summer of 2018 after spending the previous term out on loan at Shrewsbury Town.

Described as a "big one for us" by Wilder at the time, Henderson would go on to be a crucial part of the group that landed the Blades the ultimate prize.

Henderson was promotion material

Dean Henderson was brought in on loan at the start of July 2018, with huge pressure on his shoulders to take the number one shirt and become the commanding shot-stopper that the Blades needed.

Despite a tough start to life with his new side, he finally started to settle, and the then-21-year-old quickly started to show supporters why Wilder took a risk by bringing him in without much experience.

He registered a sensational assist in a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in just his sixth game as Sheffield United started to show improvements following two defeats in their first two matches.

"Dean is a confident boy, who has proved himself wherever he has been," said Wilder in 2018. "He had a fantastic season for Shrewsbury, playing a starring role in what they achieved last year."

And Wilder continued to trust in the young goalkeeper. And a run of four straight victories saw the Blades go to the top of the Championship table before they made the trip to fellow high-fliers Derby. However, they were beaten by the Rams at Pride Park in a difficult contest.

Nevertheless, Wilder's side continued to go about their business, and they did not slip out of the top six once they had entered it at the start of September. Henderson played an incredible role in this, keeping seven clean sheets before the turn of the year.

And after a positive opening half of the season, the Blades shifted through the gears in the second half as they won 13 of 21 Championship matches, while Henderson registered another 14 clean sheets on the way to Premier League promotion.

Dean Henderson became a Blades Premier League hero

After a fantastic loan spell and promotion to the Premier League, the goalkeeper was borrowed from Manchester United once again as they stepped up to the top flight.

And he was fantastic, with United having a very realistic chance of finishing the campaign in a European place.

Conceding just 33 goals in 36 top-flight matches, Henderson kept 13 clean sheets across his first year in the Premier League.

Henderson found himself back at Old Trafford the following year, bringing an end to his Sheffield United story, and he is certainly someone who is fondly remembered.

Now in the Premier League with Crystal Palace, Henderson has made three appearances for England.

Chris Wilder's "big one" analysis following Henderson's signing could not have been more right as the Blades stormed to promotion.