Rangnick makes January transfer decision which could worsen Man Utd squad morale

Ralf Rangnick has risked further agitation in the Manchester United dressing room by denying Dean Henderson the chance to leave on loan in January.

Henderson, 24, is regretting his decision to sign a new long-term contract last year having lost first-choice goalkeeper status to David de Gea.

The Englishman has only made two appearances this season, leaving him out of the frame for involvement with the Three Lions.

Henderson is desperate for minutes and Ajax are among his suitors ahead of the January transfer window with the Dutch giants eyeing a short-term loan.

Tottenham are also keen on the shot-stopper as Hugo Lloris enters the final six months of his contract, but Rangnick has told him he will not sanction an exit as he would like three first-team goalkeepers in the squad.

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That is according to the Manchester Evening News, which adds Henderson is even willing to leave Old Trafford permanently as he searches for game time.

Rangnick's decision not to let him depart comes at a time of heightened tensions at United's Carrington base.

Reports of disgruntlement behind the scenes emerged after Monday's 1-1 draw at Newcastle, with the Red Devils squad believed to have fragmented into cliques.

The Daily Mail claims the introduction of four-seater booths in the canteen has only worsened the lack of cohesion between teammates and describes the mood in the camp as 'very low'.

Further, United stars are said to be unhappy with the timing of Rangnick's training sessions as they had to drive home in the dark at 5pm on Tuesday.

Adding to these issues, Anthony Martial is pushing to leave in January after his agent issued a public plea, while fringe players Donny van de Beek, Eric Bailly and Jesse Lingard share Henderson's unhappiness with their predicaments.

The unwanted icing on the cake for Rangnick relates to Cristiano Ronaldo, who is reportedly 'not convinced' by the interim manager and was visibly frustrated at St James' Park.

The German has a growing list of issues to address on the eve of the January window, but he cannot let that distract him from the immediate task at hand.

United host Burnley on Thursday night and they sorely need three points to get their push for Champions League qualification back on track before another top-flight clash against Wolves on Monday.

The Red Devils sit seventh in the table with two games in hand on fourth-placed Arsenal, who are seven points ahead and face leaders Manchester City in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.