Dean Henderson says he feels like a new signing for Manchester United as he prepares to battle David de Gea for the No.1 spot at Old Trafford.
MEN Sport reported earlier in the week that Henderson has agreed to spend the 2020-21 campaign with his parent club and will go 'head-to-head' with De Gea in goal.
Henderson has not been assured of starting the season ahead of De Gea but wanted a clear pathway to the first-team as part of the £120,000-a-week five-year contract he signed only last week.
The 23-year-old is eager to prove his worth for United and he says he'll be working his socks off in order to dislodge De Gea from the starting line-up.
"I’ll be working my socks off to get in that starting line-up because it’s something I’ve always wanted," he told The Times.
"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 not going to improve by just sitting on the bench. I need that game time."
After two years with Sheffield United, the young goalkeeper has established himself as one of the most exciting shot-stoppers in European football, and he says he is ready for the next step in his playing career.
Henderson added: "I feel like a new signing at Man United. I haven’t been in the building for five years.
"Having to prove yourself, go the long way round and go up through the leagues, you’ve got to have a bit of an edge. I believe I’ve got that edge. I’m happy with who I am.
"I’m ready for any challenge thrown my way now."
