What next for Dean Henderson?

The impressive Dean Henderson has caught the eye this year wearing the number 1 jersey for Sheff Utd, with the club possibly heading towards Champions League qualification for the first time in their history. Henderson is one of the stand out players for United, but with his own future undecided, we look in to what might be the next possible outcome for the potential England international.

Henderson joined Sheffield United on a season long loan deal as he had grown increasingly frustrated at his parent club Man Utd with a lack of first-team football. The Spain international David De Gea has been the preferred selection at Old Trafford for several seasons, and despite the potential of Henderson, it’s unclear where the goalkeeper may eventually end up.

The 22-year-old is in his second loan spell at Bramall Lane, and club favourite Billy Sharp has admitted he does not know where the keeper will end up. “I’m certain he’ll be England’s number one soon,” said Sharp after the 1-0 win over Norwich. “He has to be with his performances – and he wants to be as well.”

It seems apparent that if Henderson can not dislodge De Gea from United’s first team, he will be headed back to Sheffield United. Sharp continued: “He wants to come back. He wants to play for Man United, obviously – he’s not going to lie – but if he can’t do that he wants to play for Sheffield United.”

Chris Wilder, the club’s manager, also waxed lyrical about Henderson’s impressive recent form, saying to reporters: “He's a confident boy and he's not shy, but he backs it up. 

 He has a huge desire to take his game to the very top. He is doing the absolute maximum to be the best he possibly can.” 

There are rumours that David De Gea could even end up at Real Madrid next season, paving the way for Henderson to take the goalkeeper’s jersey at Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

Beyond that, Henderson also has a close eye on a potential England international call up. The mixed form of Jordan Pickford has triggered calls from England fans to drop the Everton shot stopper in favour of Henderson. In addition, Jack Butland has not been playing Premier League football, potentially costing him a spot in England’s squad this summer for Euro 2020. 

It is understood that several other Premier League teams are monitoring the situation of Henderson, including that of Chelsea, who have admitted record buy goalie Keep could be departing this summer, too. In addition to that, Man City keeper Ederson, who cost his club against bitter rivals Man Utd this past weekend, are also possibly on the look out for a new number 1. 

Henderson will have no shortage of options. He is one of England’s best keepers already at just 22-years-old, and thus it is just a matter of time until he ends up at a new club with more opportunity.