Erik ten Hag reportedly had a video call with Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson before signing a backup goalkeeper last month.
Henderson is currently enjoying a season-long loan spell in the Midlands at newly-promoted Nottingham Forest. He was adamant about leaving Old Trafford in the summer as he believed he had been dealt false promises by the club regarding his role within the first team.
The 25-year-old is a product of Carrington but has endured six loan spells since graduating from the academy.
His forced exit at the beginning of the campaign left United short in the goalkeeper department and turned Ten Hag’s hand into signing Newcastle ‘keeper Martin Dubravka. After making just two appearances, the Magpies recalled the Slovakian at the start of the January transfer window.
That led Ten Hag to hold a video call with Henderson, according to MEN, as the manager wanted to “gauge his receptiveness” to returning to the club early. The player insisted he wanted to see out the season with Forest, who spent the first half of the season sitting in the bottom three.
The manager felt “fishing the ball out of the back of the net so frequently was counter-productive” – as only Bournemouth have conceded more goals than Steve Cooper’s side. The decision consequently led to United signing Crystal Palace’s Jack Butland on loan.
Ten Hag faces Henderson dilemma
The boss will face a predicament when Henderson returns in the summer as, despite his talent, he has burnt bridges with the club and fans due to a notorious interview he did after signing for Forest.
Ten Hag will likely decide to sell him permanently, as he won’t settle for being second-choice, and United won’t want to utilise him as the first.
