According to Manchester Evening News (h/t Daily Mail). Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has told that he will not return to the club after his loan spell unless he is recognized as their number one goalkeeper.
The report also suggests that the Old Trafford chiefs will take into account David De Gea’s form before they decide the future of Henderson, who is also tipped to start for England at the summer’s Euro 2020 tournament.
Henderson, 22, rose through the ranks of United’s youth academy and was sent on loan spells to Stockport County, Grimsby Town and Shrewsbury earlier. From the summer of 2018, he has been on loan with Sheffield United and had played a major role in their promotion to the top-flight last season.
The youngster has been in fine form this season and is currently on top of the list of most number of clean sheets with Liverpool’s Alisson Becker and Burnley’s Nick Pope, with 9 clean sheets so far in the league.
Meanwhile, the Reds Devils haven’t been convincing at the back and De Gea has not been up to the mark this campaign. He has conceded 29 goals and has kept just 5 clean sheets. Whereas, Sergio Romero and Lee Grant have been used only in the other competitions.
Earlier, Daily Mail suggested that both Romero and Grant would move away from Old Trafford in the summer. Romero has attracted interest from Spanish sides Villareal and Real Sociedad and he has the opportunity to get regular game time. And Grant’s contract expires at the end of this season.
Therefore, to strengthen their goalkeeping department for next season, United must not sell Henderson. To have him in their ranks would be a good decision by the board.
The English youth international has conceded only 20 goals so far for the Blades, who are having a successful time in the Premier League.
In terms of stats, Henderson has made 64 saves in 23 games and has averaged 2.67 saves per game, which is higher when compared to De Gea’s 2.60. He has saved successfully at a rate of 76.19%, which also much better than the Spaniard’s success rate of 69.15%. [Stat courtesy: Premier League]
From this, it is clear that the Englishman has done better this term and he can be made United’s first-choice next season or at least be used as De Gea’s backup.
United have one of the best goalkeepers in the league in Henderson and he is young too. And if he performs with the same form, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have sorted out the club’s goalkeeping issues for at least 5 years.
Therefore, doing their best in keeping the youngster at the club could prove to be a masterstroke by the club.
