Manchester United travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United on Thursday night.
Dean Henderson spent last season on loan with the Yorkshire club before returning this term to battle David de Gea for United’s number one shirt.
Thursday’s fixture is the first time Henderson has come up against the Blades and we’ve picked out three reasons he should return to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side – along with a note of caution…
He hasn’t put a foot wrong
Henderson has played for United in the Premier League and Champions League this season, even coming in cold from the bench against Southampton too.
He hasn’t put a foot wrong, replicating his Sheffield United form despite not having regular football to get up to speed.
By contrast, there were question marks over David de Gea once again after the defeat in Leipzig.
Henderson is also a vocal goalkeeper. Perhaps he could ensure United are more pumped up from the start of games too.
According to the MEN, some of Henderson’s teammates have been impressed with him and want to see him get a run in the side.
His recent form makes it clear why.
Point to prove
Henderson turned his back on regular Premier League football at Sheffield United to battle for his place at Old Trafford.
He won’t want to come back to Bramall Lane and sit on the bench. If he played, he’d have a real point to prove – that he made the right choice in the summer.
Henderson is a supremely confident goalkeeper and wouldn’t be fazed by the pressure of taking on his old club.
They are yet to win a Premier League game without him. His absence is being keenly felt as Aaron Ramsdale struggles to adjust.
Henderson would love to get a win with a clean sheet to further vindicate his call.
He’s spoken to Solskjaer about his gametime
According to the MEN, Henderson has already spoken to Solskjaer about his lack of gametime.
Of course, it’s not a case of handing out gametime to any player who asks for it, and Henderson looks almost certain to play against Everton in the EFL Cup next week.
But the report says Henderson is open to a loan if he doesn’t get more games, which could leave United facing a very awkward climbdown over Sergio Romero.
Henderson has done everything asked of him this season, and deserves a reward for that sooner rather than later.
The case against starting Henderson
Solskjaer has always retained great faith in de Gea and dropping him for Henderson would be a big call in terms of the Spaniard’s morale.
This is also a tricky period for United, with the criticism raining in after that Champions League exit.
De Gea has the experience to deal with that and Solskjaer may not want to throw Henderson into that scenario.
As mentioned, it seems likely Henderson is set for a game at Goodison Park next week, and that may mean Solskjaer sticks instead of twisting on the Englishman on Thursday.
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