Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defined the list of the four goalkeepers that he will have for next season, and the name Dean Henderson has been the biggest surprise.
The 23-year-old was on loan to Sheffield United, a club with which he played the last two seasons and where he accumulated 36 appearances in the Premier League and 46 in the Championship. Impressive experience for such a young player.
The Blades wanted to keep Henderson one more season, but the Red Devils boss has said no, and it seems he has big plans for the English keeper.
David de Gea, for the moment, will remain as the first-choice stopper. The Spanish goalkeeper has been harshly criticized for his decline in performance in recent seasons despite being the highest-paid goalkeeper in football history.
Solskjaer has endorsed de Gea in the past, claiming he is the best goalkeeper in the world. Still, Henderson’s arrival seems to indicate that the Norwegian manager is preparing a keeper succession.
“I think Dean has had a fantastic couple of years at Sheffield United and I think eventually he will end up as England’s No. 1 and Man Utd’s No. 1,” Solskjaer said in a recent interview.
Henderson has already joined the Red Devils training at the AON complex in Carrington, but not before thanking The Blades on social media:
“I will look back at the last two years as an important chapter in my career and more than anything, I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to learn and develop with such a class group of lads,” Henderson wrote.