Request leaves Dean Henderson's future uncertain as bold Man Utd move backfires

Dean Henderson was conspicuous by his absence as Manchester United defeated Aston Villa 1-0 in the FA Cup on Monday night.

The England international was a regular in cup competitions under former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season, following his successful loan spell at Sheffield United.

But Henderson, having been tipped in some quarters to usurp David de Gea this season, has made little headway in that regard.

The 24-year-old returned a positive Covid test in the summer and struggled to shake of the after effects of the virus at the beginning of the campaign. Some sources have claimed that, had that not been the case, he would have begun the season as United's first choice.

Instead, Henderson didn't appear in a matchday squad until late September and has featured only twice: in the 2-1 EFL Cup loss to West Ham and Champions League group stage dead rubber against Young Boys.

In truth, he can have little qualms about De Gea's continued selection, first by Solskjaer and now by interim boss Ralf Rangnick, with the Spaniard having been back to something like his best this term, despite the side's collective struggles.

Henderson, after his hugely impressive loan spell at Bramall Lane had been bullish about making the No1. spot his own at Old Trafford when he returned to the club in 2020. Then-Blades boss Chris Wilder declared: "He wants to win 50 caps and play for Manchester United."

He duly rejected interest from Chelsea and Tottenham - the former linked with a £50million move prior to Edouard Mendy's arrival - to ink a new long-term deal with United upon his return, despite, at that point, De Gea being less than 12 months into his four-year contract as United's (then) highest paid player. It was a decision that was bold and brave.

With Solskjaer eager to hand Henderson opportunities to prove he could be United's new No.1 and with De Gea seemingly struggling amid his own crisis of confidence, Henderson made 26 appearances in all competitions for United in 2020-21, keeping 13 clean sheets.

Notably, he started 10 of United's last 12 Premier League matches, an authoritative display during a 2-0 win at Manchester City appearing to usher in a switch; De Gea took paternity leave then was used almost exclusively in the Europa League.

After a season in which De Gea had made mistakes with surprising regularity and where his deep starting position had been called into question as United attempted to bring in a higher defensive line, Henderson's confidence and assertiveness, were appearing to hand him an edge in his battle to be United's No.1. He had also emerged as Jordan Pickford's biggest rival at international level, starting Euro 2020 as the Everton man's back up.

His decision to re-sign at United and eschew interest from elsewhere had been vindicated and he looked well placed with both club and country.

Fast forward to now and Henderson's lot looks very different.

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Having, he believed, put the after-effects of his Covid battle behind him, he was part of a group of United nearly-men - including Jesse Lingard and Donny van de Beek - who had grown frustrated by a lack of opportunities under Solskjaer prior to his sacking.

And having seen a hip injury end his Euros early - he was replaced in the squad by Aaron Ramsdale after the Three Lions' opening game - he has fallen out of the England goalkeeping picture ahead of this year's World Cup in Qatar; having at one point felt taking Pickford's place between the sticks was achievable ahead of the tournament, he is now an outside bet to take one of the two back up places, behind Ramsdale and West Brom's Sam Johnstone, himself a former United youngster.

Henderson, unhappy with a lack of game time, met with interim boss Rangnick - for whom De Gea is undisputed No.1 - to discuss his desire to move on for regular playing time last month.

It's understood he requested to depart on loan, before returning in the summer when a new manager will be in situ, although he has become increasingly open to a permanent exit, recognising De Gea's position to now be as strong as it has been in some time.

Henderson wasn't on the bench against Villa due to illness - Tom Heaton took his place - and when asked about his future after the game, Rangnick reiterated that he has no plans to let him leave this month.

"A couple of weeks ago he asked me [if he could leave] but I told him I'd rather have him stay until the end of the season, said the German.

"We are very happy with our goalkeepers but if it's up to me I wouldn't want him to leave."

While United have little inclination to move him on, there are few clubs at present who would be willing to spend the kind of cash it would take to prise him away, or who have a need for a new first-choice stopper mid-season.

Potential Premier League avenues could appear in summer, notably in London. Spurs' admiration remains, notably via technical performance director Steve Hitchen and they're on the lookout for a long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris, whose contract expires this summer.

West Ham too could be potential suitors, with veteran 'keeper Lukasz Fabianski's deal up at the end of the campaign and Alphonse Areola - on loan from Paris Saint-Germain - thus far failing to prove that he should be the Pole's long-term replacement.

The only possibility at present, which would allow Henderson to play regularly in the second half of the season, appears to be at Newcastle United, where Eddie Howe and the club's new owners are looking for upgrades across the board to help in their relegation fight.

For Henderson, a season that, six months ago, promised so much has delivered nothing other than a test of patience.

Without Rangnick changing his mind or United receiving an offer that they simply cannot reject, he may have to resign himself to the fact that his previous boldness, despite how close it came to being vindicated, combined with De Gea's return to excellence, means his levels of tolerance and acceptance will continue to be tested in the coming months.