Jose Mourinho has revealed that Dean Henderson asked to go out on loan whilst he was at Manchester United before declaring he would return to be No 1.
The goalkeeper has come through the ranks at Old Trafford and is now challenging for a regular start.
When Mourinho arrived in the summer of 2016 Henderson was just 19.
At that point he was also fourth in the pecking order but immediately headed out to Grimsby Town before then going to Shrewsbury Town.
A two-season loan spell at Sheffield United followed, which allowed Henderson to really make his name, and he is now back at Old Trafford challenging David de Gea - just as he predicted.
Mourinho told The Times : "I met him at [Manchester] United when he was a kid and I always remember him asking me to go on loan. He was saying when I come back, I come back to be the No.1.
"He told me that when he was the fourth choice. He is a kid with an incredible self-confidence and I think he is ready."
Henderson returned this season but has been forced to bide his time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
De Gea remained as first choice initially before the Englishman was afforded a run of games.
Solskjaer has since bought the Spaniard back into the fold and picked him over Henderson for the Europa League final, which United lost on penalties.
Both goalkeepers are desperate for regular minutes meaning there is no guarantee both will remain at the club next season.
Henderson confessed last summer that was determined to breakdown the "brick wall" in order to become No 1 but had no issues about leaving if he remained second choice.
He told TV3: "I think it's clear for everyone to know. I want to play for Manchester United and England.
"It feels like I always hit a brick wall. Maybe I'll get the opportunity [to play for Man Utd], maybe I won't, then I'll have to look down a different avenue.
"The fans have to remember what he's [De Gea] done for the last nine years - he's been phenomenal.
"He's probably been the best player at United for that time period. He should get another opportunity.
"I'm a young lad. I'm working hard. I'm a fan of the club and I want to play for them. Hopefully I have a career at Man Utd like David de Gea has."
