Just as it looked as though the goalkeeping spot was finally his, it was cruelly snatched away. Now, wrestling it back is proving difficult for Dean Henderson.
It's been a tough few months for Henderson, who has gone from being Manchester United's No.1 keeper to making just two appearances this season. What makes it even more frustrating is that there's not much he could have done to change it.
As last season came to a close Henderson had finally ousted the out-of-form David de Gea from his secure spot between the sticks, as he started 10 of the last 12 Premier League matches of the campaign.
Even though De Gea surprisingly got the nod in the subsequent Europa League final, his disastrous showing in the penalty shoot-out defeat — in which he didn't come close to saving any of the 11 Villarreal penalties and then missed his own spot-kick — looked to have played even more into Henderson's favour.
Just as the 24-year-old was in his strongest position as a United player — having been told he would be the first choice goalkeeper in the coming season by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — the summer saw it all unravel.
Firstly, an ill-timed ankle injury ruled him out of England's run to the Euro 2020 final. Then he was struck down by Covid-19.
The virus laid Henderson low for a month during pre-season. So he was unfortunately stuck in bed rather than solidifying his spot in the side during the summer's friendlies while De Gea was out of the picture enjoying extra time off following the Euros.
Then, by the time Henderson was finally able to shake the virus and was fit enough to return to the bench, it was already early October and De Gea had reclaimed his title as No.1. The Spaniard has had a roaring return to form this season, his best for some years, and it's difficult to think where United would be without his crucial saves.
For a player with such high ambitions and obvious talent, Henderson isn't going to play second fiddle for long and United's goalkeeper situation is just as untenable as it was last season.
The Cumbria-born stopper has already expressed his desire to leave on loan in January in order to get back to playing regularly, with Dutch champions Ajax keen to take him until the end of the season.
However, new boss Ralf Rangnick is not prepared to allow him to leave as he wants three first-team goalkeepers in his squad — a decision that does make sense considering only 35-year-old Tom Heaton would remain as back-up to De Gea if Henderson departed.
Instead, it seems Henderson will have to try and fight his way back into the side and his final chances to do so may be on the horizon.
De Gea wasn't photographed in Wednesday's training session ahead of Thursday's fixture with Burnley and while he could well have been there but just wasn't pictured or, if he wasn't there, there could another explanation; it does suggest he might be a doubt for the match, which could open the door for Henderson.
Then on January 10, United will be in FA Cup action against Aston Villa and the match could see Rangnick heavily rotate his side, which would likely see Henderson come in.
If the goalkeeper is afforded a chance in either or both of those games, then he must perform to his absolute optimum. Other than the future FA Cup rounds — should United advance — it's unlikely that Henderson is playing any other matches this season unless he does so well that Rangnick has no choice but to play him, or if De Gea suffers an injury.
In Henderson's one performance under Rangnick, the Champions League dead rubber against Young Boys, he actually appeared to suit the German's style of play perfectly as his proactiveness coming off his line allowed the team to press higher and he cut out danger on a few occasions. De Gea, meanwhile, rarely leaves his goalline, which isn't ideal when you want to press high.
So if Henderson can show his qualities to Rangnick and why he should be in the team perhaps he can turn his season around, but he won't have many chances to do so.
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