Dean Henderson in action between the posts. (Photo by ADAM DAVY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
According to The Telegraph (Subscription Required), Ajax are plotting a deal that will see Manchester United star Dean Henderson join them on a loan move in January. The shot-stopper has been on the fringes of first-team action this season but is determined for minutes in the second half of the campaign.
The Englishman joined the Man United academy in 2011 from the youth setup of Carlisle United. Since then, he has been on four loan moves to Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town, Stockport County, and Sheffield United. However, he has failed to displace David de Gea from the starting XI this season.
Should Henderson secure a loan deal to Ajax in January? Can Ralf Rangnick afford to let his 2nd choice goalkeeper leave mid-season?
Since being promoted to the senior team last season, Henderson has only managed 27 appearances across all competitions. He was the first-choice in cup competitions last season while De Gea hogged a majority of the Premier League games. However, the Englishman was solid and resolute whenever called upon.
The 24-year-old could have started the current season in goal. However, he contracted the coronavirus, and the after-effects meant that he was out long enough for his Spanish teammate to ensure a starting berth. To De Gea’s credit, he has been incredible this season, which in turn has seen his deputy only make a single appearance this term.
Thus, a loan deal could mean some valuable minutes for the relatively young shot-stopper. However, this would cut right into Rangnick’s plans. If the English international does depart mid-season, it leaves a 35-year-old Tom Heaton to deputise for De Gea. The Red Devils will be competing in three competitions by the start of next month, including the FA Cup.
It would also be a huge problem if the Spaniard gets injured mid-season. The defence has been lacklustre as it is this campaign. And the last thing Rangnick would want is to have two of his first-choice goalkeepers unavailable for selection.
It must also be noted that the 31-year-old shot-stopper could experience a dip in form as well, something he arguably did at times last season. In such a scenario, one would want the No 2 to step up to the plate.
The Man United star might not have received a lot of minutes this season, but one cannot underestimate his value as de Gea’s deputy. Thus, it is important to keep him beyond the January transfer window, but it would be hard to do so, given his ambitions. The Englishman wants to make it in the England squad for the 2022 World Cup.
His selection depends upon his performances in the next few months and the number of minutes. This could be a huge reason for him to secure a move away from Old Trafford in the winter window. In fact, Ajax seems like a suitable option for him since their chief executive and former Man United No 1, Edwin Van der Sar, is also a fan of the Englishman.
Martin Stekelenburg is injured, while Andre Onana is set to be out of contract in the summer. Moreover, the Dutch club has been interested in signing the shot-stopper since he completed his two-year loan deal at Sheffield United.
Thus, it remains to be seen how Rangnick is going to convince the English international to stay at the theatre of dreams for the entirety of the season. The German could effectively rotate the game-time between Henderson and De Gea. It would be slightly unfair to the latter due to his great start, but that is the only viable resolution to the problem at hand.
