Dean Henderson might not have made a Manchester United appearance under Jose Mourinho, but he is grateful for the experience of working under the Portuguese boss and believes they are both "winners".
The 23-year-old was still working his way through the ranks while Mourinho was at United, but he was involved in some first-team training sessions and he saw his character shine through.
While Mourinho is often criticised for his approach to young players, Henderson has only good things to say about their time working together and believes they share similar traits as well.
“He was good with me… He was happy how passionate I was. He liked that a lot. I think we’re pretty similar characters – winners. He’s a good guy," Henderson told beIN Sports.
"He’s obviously a great manager. I worked with him a bit at Man United and obviously wasn’t old enough to be involved in it all the time, but I trained with him quite a bit and he’s a winner. Whether he sets his team up to counter-attack or whether he goes offensive, he knows how to win games of football."
Henderson has enjoyed another stellar season on loan at Sheffield United and is edging closer to challenging David de Gea for the right to be United's No. 1 goalkeeper.
Sheffield United remain in contention for a Champions League spot next season and Chris Wilder's side have received plenty of plaudits from managers of their top-four rivals this season.
“It’s obviously outstanding. They’ve been very complimentary of the team and it shows how well Chris Wilder’s done with us all," he said.
"I know Pep Guardiola was saying to him (Wilder) it’s a great style of play and it’s really hard to play against. Some of the Man City players were saying it’s the hardest game they’ve had when they came to Bramall Lane."
Henderson will finish this season with Sheffield United, but as well as becoming United No. 1 he also has his sights set on challenging Jordan Pickford to be England's first-choice goalkeeper.
To that end the goalkeeper sees the delaying of Euro 2020 until next summer as something that might work in his favour.
"Yes. From a selfish point of view it’s fantastic to give me another year in the Premier League and prove I am potentially worthy of playing," he said.
“Hopefully I’ll do really well next year and be right in Gareth Southgate’s thoughts, that’s the aim.”
