Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is to consider a loan move away from the club in January, should his lack of minutes continue, The Times’ Paul Hirst reports.
The 24-year-old has played just one game this season after a delayed return, due to COVID-19.
Hirst’s report states that Henderson will consider a loan move if it becomes clear that he will not play many more matches this season.
Dean Henderson Future to be Considered with Potential January Loan Exit on the Cards
Delayed Return Handed Gloves to David de Gea
Henderson may well have started the season as Manchester United’s number one if it wasn’t for COVID-19. The England international was said to be bedridden by the virus around the pre-season months, halting his return for the new season. David de Gea, despite having been part of the Spain squad at Euro 2020, returned early from his holiday and took full advantage.
In doing so, and finding his best form, a goalkeeper who is no longer Spain’s number one and probably not their number two either, took his rightful place back between the posts at the theatre of dreams.
This is all unfortunate for Henderson, who remains as hungry as ever to play football.
His sole appearance this season saw Manchester United lose 1-0 to West Ham United in the Carabao Cup. The Red Devils’ exit from that competition has left him with barely any games to play with his colleague, De Gea, in such fine form.
Things look unlikely to change. De Gea put in yet another strong display v Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday night (October 20), keeping United in the game ahead of a comeback victory.
Loan Doesn’t Mean the End
If anybody knows the benefits of leaving Manchester United on loan for game time, it’s Dean Henderson. He has been all over the English football pyramid having had spells with Stockport County, Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield United.
His return to Manchester United for the 2020/21 season and a new five-year contract to boot, suggested that his stellar stay at Bramall Lane was to be the last temporary departure of his Old Trafford career, though that is now in doubt.
Last year, Henderson pushed David de Gea for the number one spot. The Spanish goalkeeper has been struggling in recent years with a series of high-profile errors undermining his position at the club despite ten years of service. However, this season, to Henderson’s misfortune, he has answered the call and looks more and more like the De Gea of old.
Henderson leaving the club on loan would not close the door on his Manchester United future. After all, he has plenty of time remaining on his contract and De Gea’s form could just be that, form. Another loan will give him the opportunity to iron out the reservations of his club, who clearly believe he has what it takes to take the reins in between the sticks, but there were stages during his debut season – in which he made 26 appearances – where question marks were raised as to whether he is genuinely the right option.
German giants Borussia Dortmund are named in the report as being among many clubs to have shown interest last summer, though, they ended up signing Gregor Kobel from Stuttgart.
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