Dean Henderson is ready to fight for the number one jersey from David de Gea.
The 23-year-old was one of the most outstanding goalkeepers in the Premier League last season, while on loan at Sheffield United, and his form has led to a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
He recently signed a new deal which sees him earn €120,000 p/w so he has clearly returned to United with an eye on becoming first choice goalkeeper.
It won’t be as straight forward as that because Henderson still needs to prove himself at the top. Nobody cares for what he did last season anymore, he needs to do it in a Manchester United shirt when the opportunity presents itself.
In an interview with The Times, Henderson showed clear determination to oust De Gea.
“I’ll be working my socks off to get in that starting line-up because it’s something I’ve always wanted.
“I’m so close now. I’m not going to give up. I’m going to put the pressure on.
“I respect David. I know what challenges are going to be. I’m well up for it.
“You can get many things from training and learn off someone like David… But I don’t think there’s any substitute for game time. Coming off a good season with momentum, it wouldn’t be clever for me to sit around and not play.
“I’m under no illusions that I’m going to improve by just sitting on the bench. I need that game time.”
De Gea is still first choice but it’s time for someone to really push him. It beggars belief that Sergio Romero didn’t complain (allegedly!) about game time until the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Given the Spaniard’s form at times over the past 18 months, he should have been put under more pressure by squad goalkeepers. That’s probably the only fault I have with Romero but he needs to find a new club now.
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