Henderson will return to United — but only as No1
MANCHESTER UNITED will hold talks with Dean Henderson next week as the pressure grows on under-fire goalkeeper David de Gea. Henderson is ready to return to Old Trafford next season after two years on loan at Sheffield United if he is assured of being the club’s No 1 keeper. The ambitious 23-year-old has no intention of simply acting as back-up for De Gea, who is under scrutiny for a calamitous display in United’s 3-1 defeat by Chelsea in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final at Wembley — having been criticised for poor form since the Premier League’s return. It has put renewed pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop De Gea, and placed a question mark over the 29year-old Spaniard’s long-term future at the club. That could open the door for highly-rated
Henderson, who will play his final game for Sheffield United on Sunday before his representatives meet Old Trafford officials next week. They will discuss improving the £35,000-a-week contract Henderson signed a year ago to reflect his recent progress amid interest from Chelsea. The two sides will also look at the England Under 21 keeper’s next move because he hopes to challenge for a senior squad place at next summer’s Euros.
Sheffield United want Henderson back, but he is keen to play at a higher level as long as he is first choice. The prospect of replacing De Gea at United hinges on whether Solskjaer continues to support the former Atletico Madrid keeper or calls time on his Old Trafford career after more than 400 appearances. Another obstacle would be finding a club willing to sign De Gea and match the £375,000-a-week deal he signed last September. That contract still has three years to run.