Dean Henderson: Wilder reveals talks have started with Man Utd over extending loan
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder has confirmed the club have started talks with Manchester United over another loan move for Dean Henderson.
Henderson first joined Sheffield United on loan from Manchester United in June 2018 with the club in the Championship. The goalkeeper was a key part of their promotion campaign, winning the Championship’s Golden Glove award.
As a result, Henderson signed a new contract with Manchester United and remained with the Blades for their Premier League return.
Henderson to stay at Sheffield United? Five things to know…
- Henderson joined Sheffield United on loan ahead of the 2018/19 season.
- He won the Championship Golden Glove award as part of Sheffield United’s promotion campaign.
- Henderson rejoined Sheffield United on loan for their Premier League campaign and has been key.
- And Wilder has revealed talks have begun about Henderson staying another year.
- Should he return to Man Utd, Henderson would contest with David de Gea for the number one spot.
And the 22-year-old has been key to Wilder’s side yet again, helping them to seventh in the Premier League after 24 games. Henderson has played all but one of Sheffield United’s game, missing the match against his parent club due to loan rules, and has conceded just 23 goals — averaging a goal a game.
Only Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than Sheffield United in the Premier League this season and no goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets than Henderson’s eight — four more than Man Utd’s David de Gea.
Although he did not manage to keep a clean sheet, Henderson received plaudits for his performance in Sheffield United’s recent 1-0 home defeat to Manchester City. Henderson made four saves to frustrate City’s attack including one from Gabriel Jesus’ penalty, leading to calls from some Man Utd fans for the Englishman to replace De Gea next season.
And Wilder believes Henderson will not return to Man Utd to be back up, but also hopes to keep the goalkeeper himself for another season.
“He wants to play first-team football,” he told reporters.
“Maybe I shouldn’t be saying this, but I’m not so sure he’ll play back up to anybody. Just the character of the boy. Maybe he will come out and say it.
“If there is a decision for Manchester United for him to come out to us for another year, we will gladly take that up.
“We’ve already started talking with them, but he’s their player and that decision will be taken on behalf of Manchester United about the player. He’s been outstanding for us.”
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Henderson for England?
As well as Man Utd fans calling for Henderson’s return, there have been mentions of the 22-year-old becoming England’s number one goalkeeper sooner rather than later.
Current first-choice Jordan Pickford is not having the best campaign with Everton, while Nick Pope has also shown some signs of weakness. Henderson was in the past two England squads during their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign but did not come off the bench.
However, Wilder believes an England berth will come soon for Henderson.
“You look at his age, he’s still a baby of 22,” he added.
Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling (right) tries to get the ball from Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson after saving a penalty whilst he is congratulated by teammates
“People talk about goalkeepers 27, 28, 29 (reaching their peak) — so he’s got five, six seven years on goalkeepers at that age. The quicker he learns the better he’s going to be.
“He’s been outstanding, I know there’s a pecking order in that England group, but they must be really good goalkeepers getting ahead of him at the moment.
“The competition is fierce and there are some unbelievably good goalkeepers, but I watch him closely every day and the performances he produces for us.”
