I will leave United if I’m not the No1, says Henderson
The England keeper has set his sights on De Gea’s role as United’s first choice this season after recently signing a new five-year deal worth £120,000 a week.
Henderson said: ‘Look, 100 per cent, the aim is for me to play football next season.
‘I don’t think I want to be not playing after last season, coming off a good season with momentum.’
Following that successful loan spell at Sheffield United last term, which culminated in a callup to Gareth Southgate’s England squad, Henderson’s future has been the subject of scrutiny.
But his decision to sign the new deal at Old Trafford will see him start the new season with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side and battle it out with De Gea to become the club’s No 1.
However, when asked whether he would seek another loan move if it became clear he would be No 2, Henderson responded: ‘Yes. It wouldn’t be clever for me to sit around and not play football, I don’t think it would help any parties at all.
‘You can get many things from training and obviously learn off someone like David and the other goalkeepers and coaches.
‘But I don’t think there’s any substitute for game-time. I went out from Manchester United five years ago, started at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and then Sheffield which shows how much I’ve learned, picking up experiences that happen in games because they’re situations that you don’t really get in training.
‘I’m not going to improve just sitting on the bench. I need that game-time. I feel like a new signing at United. I haven’t been in the building for five years. I’ve had a lot of time away.’
United’s first game of the season is on September 19 when Crystal Palace visit. Solskjaer’s side will play three Premier League games before the transfer window shuts on October 5 — a period which is likely to prove crucial as Henderson, 23, weighs up his future.
For now, he has set his sights on overtaking De Gea.
He said: ‘David de Gea has obviously been a great goalkeeper for many years. He’s been phenomenal and that’s something I aspire to be, to have a career like his at the club, so I’ll be going back in first day of the pre-season working my socks off to get in that starting line-up because it’s something I’ve always wanted.
‘I’m so close now so I’m not going to give up, I’m going to put the pressure on. I respect David, he’s been a phenomenal servant for the club and one of the best in recent years. It’s down to me. I know what challenges are going to be ahead. I’m well up for it.’
Henderson is also targeting becoming England’s No 1.
Jordan Pickford’s position as Southgate’s first choice is in doubt following an alarming dip in form.
Burnley’s Nick Pope is the favourite to replace Pickford, but Henderson’s emergence offers another genuine option should the coach decide to make a change.
‘I’m working hard every day to be No 1 but I know I’ve got to get past two very good keepers.’