Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims Dean Henderson will become No.1 for Manchester United – and England.
And that’s ruled out any chance of Henderson leaving Old Trafford permanently, even though Chelsea have made no secret of their admiration for the England Under-21 keeper.
Cumbrian-born Henderson, 23, has spent the past two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, helping Chris Wilder’s Blades gain promotion to the Premier League from the Championship a year ago.
Henderson, who has excelled in the top flight, could be heading back to Bramall Lane for a third spell as the ambitious Wilder is desperate to seal another loan deal. But Solskjaer has hinted that it is far from a done deal.
Wilder takes his team to Old Trafford on June 24 – Henderson will be in the stands – in a match that could be pivotal in the race for a Champions League spot.
First-choice United keeper David de Gea signed a four-year £200,000-a-week contract earlier this season that will keep him at United until 2023, with the option of a year on top.
That’s left Solskjaer juggling Henderson’s future – but the Norwegian insists the youngster WILL be United’s future first choice.
“Dean has made some great choices over the years and has developed fantastically,” said the United boss. “We’re looking at that in terms of where he’s going to be next season, but as yet that has not been decided.
“This season has proved a great experience for him, he’s done himself some favours with his performances and proved he will be England’s No.1 and Man United’s No.1 at some point.”
Henderson's performances had made him a genuine candidate for the England No 1 jersey, but Gareth Southgate has regularly stated that he will only pick players who are regulars - not sat on the bench.
