Dean Henderson has been opening up on an eventful 2020/21 season.
The Manchester United academy graduate had a strong campaign filled with milestones.
He made his United debut, started in the Premier League, Champions League and Europa League, and for a little while appeared to establish himself as number one.
Henderson was left out of the side for the Europa League final and then pulled out of the England Euro 2020 squad with a hip injury.
Speaking to Talksport, Henderson said: “I worked every day, day-in and day-out, I was grinding down to get into that team at Man United. I went through every brick wall I could get through, I fought hard and when I got into the team I was shattered, I was exhausted
“I was mentally tired, I’d done everything right to get into the team, but I’d used up all my energy worrying about getting into the team. So when I got into the team I had a good little run and then got injured and then I struggled.”
Taking time out and missing the Euro 2020 squad was not necessarily bad for Henderson.
The rest has allowed him to recover from his injury and he is expected back at Carrington for pre-season shortly. This might even give him a headstart on David de Gea.
Questions to be answered
The goalkeeping situation at United is one issue where United lack clarity heading into the season.
Both David de Gea and Dean Henderson are fine options, but United need to make a choice.
Tom Heaton has arrived as cover and he will deputise for whoever stays as number one.
The long-term call is to go with Henderson and this seems most likely, but it also depends on whether United can manage to find a buyer for De Gea, or even a loan club willing to pay his wages.
The other factor is whether United believe Henderson is resilient enough to stand up physically and mentally to the challenges at United over a full season on his own.
He gives off a very confident vibe but his comments show that he did not find the season as easy as he made it look at times. Henderson will back himself to step up, but the question remains whether United have the same faith, or decide to go with the tried and tested De Gea.
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