REPORT: Immediate Contract Uncertainty At Sheffield United Faces Manchester United Starlet Dean Henderson

Immediate Contract Uncertainty at Sheffield United Faces Manchester United Starlet Dean Henderson

Despite Dean Henderson’s contract situation of the near future being unknown, much of the focus regarding loan players either at or from Manchester United is on Odion Ighalo

The Nigerian striker made a dream deadline day move to United from Chinese side Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, with a season-and-a-half with Watford his only Premier League experience.

Despite the seeming lack of quality and ability at a high level, it has more than paid off for the Red Devils. Ighalo has four goals and an assist from just 318 minutes in a Manchester United shirt before football’s virtually worldwide suspension. He has even convinced United to consider making his loan move permanent, with a £15 million fee reportedly what his parent club want for him. This is where the ambiguity lies.

Ighalo has a contract at United until June 30, at which time he will either return to his parent club, or United will have signed him on a permanent basis. However, with almost all business now halted due to the coronavirus, it is unresolved as to what will happen next. If the Red Devils can get the deal across the line before his contract is up, then they have reached an ideal situation. However, that is improbable. Therefore, they may have to release the former Watford striker when his pre-agreed time at United runs out.

Similar with Henderson

It is a similar story with Dean Henderson, out on loan at Sheffield United. The goalkeeper has stepped up to the challenge of playing in the Premier League excellently, having helped the Blades in their promotion campaign last season.

Chris Wilder’s over-performing side are now United’s rivals for Champions League qualification. The Red Devils have a decision to make as to what they will do about Henderson’s contract.

Although it has been suggested that all contracts set to run out at the end of the season are extended until it ends, the legal details of that are unclear.

It may be the best move for Henderson’s career if the Red Devils agree with the newly-promoted side to extend Henderson’s loan by another year. There has been much gossip about this in recent months, with Wilder himself having claimed that he was in talks with the Manchester side over a one-year extension. However, that seemingly came as a surprise to United, who are still mulling over whether they should let him go for one more season.

If the Premier League giants agree to leave the young Englishman on loan for one more season, it may provide the Blades with a boost to leapfrog United in the race for the Champions League. That would be incredible, but completely plausible. With Henderson being a key part of their success this season, he may be what they need to push them over the line.