MY ACCOUNT
Dean Henderson had no intention of spending his season warming Manchester United’s bench.
The ambitious stopper, 25, had appeared set to finally usurp David de Gea as United’s No1 this term but instead has managed only three appearances in all competitions.
With several Premier League clubs tracking the England international, an Old Trafford exit this summer looks to be a formality.
Ahead of the Red Devils’ clash with Leicester on Saturday, we look at what is next for Henderson.
One of their own
Picked up from League Two outfit Carlisle aged 14, Henderson has now spent over a decade at United.
His development was handled in-house until 2016 before loans with Stockport, Grimsby and Shrewsbury allowed him to gain experience in what was a rapid ascent up the English pyramid.
It was during two stints with Sheffield United where the Cumbrian’s career really took flight, however.
Helping the Blades to a remarkable promotion from the Championship in the 2018-19 season, he then returned for their top-flight campaign — keeping a stunning 13 clean sheets to help Chris Wilder’s unfancied side to a top-half finish.
By that point, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had seen enough and opted to bring Henderson back home to fight for the No1 shirt with De Gea.
Close contest
Last season’s battle for supremacy between the sticks at Old Trafford was a close-run affair.
De Gea, who has been named United’s Player of the Year on four separate occasions, clearly started the campaign as Solskjaer’s No1 but things were significantly less clear-cut by May.
But despite the Spaniard’s 36 appearances in all competitions still edging Henderson’s 26, the Englishman was preferred for 10 of United’s last 12 top-flight outings.
On the face of it, a changing of the guard had occurred.
But a hip injury picked up in the closing stages of the campaign would force Henderson to miss the delayed Euro 2020 finals with England before a bout of coronavirus then ravaged his pre-season preparations.
De Gea ended up between the sticks for the season-opening 5-1 victory over Leeds and, unfortunately for his competitor, has gone on to rediscover some of his very best form in recent months.
Frustrations bubbling
Inevitably, talk was rife of a potential January exit for Henderson — be it on loan or permanently — but interim Red Devils boss Ralf Rangnick convinced him to stay put.
And yet, other than the shootout loss to Middlesbrough in the FA Cup last month, he has remained little more than a spectator.
Judging by previous comments, the current situation appears one Henderson will not tolerate much longer.
Speaking in 2020 about the importance of game time, he said: “It wouldn’t be clever for me to sit around and not play football. I don’t think it would help any parties at all.”
His lack of action has already seen him slip below Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsdale in the England pecking order, with Gareth Southgate turning to Sam Johnstone and Fraser Forster following late withdrawals from his March squad.
If he has intentions of reviving his Three Lions career, regular minutes are a must.
Not giving up
Newcastle and Tottenham are both set to be in the market for a goalkeeper this summer and Henderson has unsurprisingly been linked.
Both clubs have lofty aspirations and demanding sets of fans — not that the 25-year-old would be fazed by such expectation.
Henderson told United’s website this week: “I love playing in front of supporters.
“Wherever I’ve been, I’ve always built-up good relationships with them because I think they can help on a Saturday as much as we can help each other. I think they can become the 12th man.
“Unfortunately, at this moment in time, I’ve not yet had the opportunity here [in the Premier League at Old Trafford] because we had Covid last year. It’s been a shame and that is something that grinds on me.
“I believe I can have an unbelievable relationship with the Manchester United fans, but until that day comes, I’ll keep working hard in the background. One day, I’ll build that rapport with them and kick on.”
Despite those admirable comments, it may be time for Henderson to strike up a bond with a different set of supporters on a permanent basis.
