Dean Henderson ended last season as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper, despite being named on the bench for the Europa League final in Gdansk.
The 24-year-old was called up by Gareth Southgate for this summer’s European Championship but after being named on the bench for the opening game against Croatia, he was forced to pull out of the tournament with a hip injury.
Henderson’s problems were compounded weeks later when he returned to the club for pre-season training, where he almost immediately tested positive for COVID-19 and suffered a lengthy battle with the virus.
Weeks after testing positive, Henderson pulled out of United’s pre-season training camp due to an extended period of fatigue, the club said on the official Manchester United website.
After missing the first five Premier League games, Henderson was finally back in action for his side last month as he played 90 minutes in United’s 1-0 defeat to West Ham in the Carabao Cup. The former Sheffield United star has now vowed to make a strong return after battling the virus.
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“It’s been a tough few months for me but to come back in now, amongst it and feeling [at] full power is a great feeling,” Henderson is quoted as saying by ManUtd.com.
“It [the illness] obviously stopped me at the start of the season and I was unfortunate I got ill but, at the end of the day, you’ve got to take it on the chin and come back better than ever. I feel really good now and just want to get out there and prove my worth.
“I haven’t been my best in the Manchester United shirt yet. I feel good, really good, now and it’s about building those games up, game after game, and hopefully I’ll get my opportunity and I’ll build on it and be the best you’ve seen me in a United shirt.”
