Sunday People

Ole says glove is a battlefiel­d

- By Steve Bates

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER claims Dean Henderson will become No.1 for Manchester United – and England.

And that’s ruled out any chance of Henderson leaving Old Trafford permanentl­y, even though Chelsea have made no secret of their admiration for the England Under-21 keeper.

Cumbrian-born Henderson, 23, has spent the past two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, helping Chris Wilder’s Blades gain promotion to the Premier League from the Championsh­ip a year ago. Henderson, who has excelled in the top flight, could be heading back to Bramall Lane for a third spell as the ambitious Wilder is desperate to seal another loan deal. But Solskjaer has hinted that it is far from a done deal.

Wilder takes his team to Old Trafford on June 24 – Henderson will be in the stands – in a match that could be pivotal in the race for a Champions League spot.

First-choice United keeper David De Gea (left) signed a four-year £200,000-a-week contract earlier this season that will keep him at United until 2023, with the option of a year on top.

That’s left Solskjaer juggling Henderson’s future – but the Norwegian insists the youngster (in action, above) WILL be United’s future first choice.

“Dean has made some great choices over the years and has developed fantastica­lly,” said the United boss. “We’re looking at that in terms of where he’s going to be next season, but as yet that has not been decided.

“This season has proved a great experience for him, he’s done himself some favours with his performanc­es and proved he will be England’s No.1 and Man United’s No.1 at some point.”

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