Manchester United
Premier League • England
Ambitious star disagrees with Man Utd as transfer certainty comes to light
Dean Henderson does not necessarily agree with the plan Manchester United have for him after multiple sources provided updates on the chances of a January transfer.
Henderson has been starved of action at Old Trafford this season. After missing pre-season due to coronavirus, he has only played once. David De Gea took advantage of Henderson’s absence to firmly establish himself as number one again.
It has provided a fresh dilemma for United, who reintegrated Henderson last season with a view to him succeeding De Gea in the long-term.
On current form, it seems the Spaniard will be sticking around for a long time. Therefore, Henderson is having to be patient for opportunities. But he cannot wait around too long, as his place in the England squad is now slipping from his grasp.
He wants to reclaim a place in Gareth Southgate’s thinking for the 2022 World Cup. To get to that stage, though, he needs to play more regularly at club level.
Therefore, reports emerged on Monday that Man Utd are willing to let him go out on an 18-month loan from January. They would let him leave on such terms with the intention of making him their number one upon his return.
But according to fresh information, Henderson does not seem too convinced by those plans. A report from 90min claims he would rather leave permanently because he does not think the club will move on from De Gea.
The former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper is out of contract in 2023, but Man Utd may offer him an extension. By that point, Henderson will be around the midpoint of his career and won’t want to waste too much time.
Lingard to get his move away from Man United
Lingard is linked with a move back to West Ham, but Newcastle are also reportedly interested too.
Therefore, he is ready to call time on his Man Utd career. It has been followed a separate new claim from Football Insider that there is a “100%” chance of him departing the club in January.
It is still thought that United would prefer a loan deal to protect their long-term interests. They could lend him to someone like Newcastle, who are looking for an established number one.
But Henderson’s own ideas may be different to his current club’s, as detailed by 90min. Their report states the academy product has spoken to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who in turn has been unable to make any promises.
Therefore, United may have a decision to make in January.
If they let Henderson go, summer signing Tom Heaton will be the main backup to De Gea. Lee Grant also remains among the ranks as a veteran guide.
Henderson among group misled by Solskjaer
A recent report revealed a number of Man Utd squad men are unhappy with how they have been misled by Solskjaer.
According to ESPN, Solskjaer recognised in meetings over the summer that he had “overplayed” certain players last season. As such, he had promised other members of the squad more game time this term.
However, the report names eight players who feel that Solskjaer has not stayed true to his promises.
Midfielder Donny van de Beek gets the first mention. The marquee summer signing of summer 2020 has only played 154 minutes across five matches this season and reportedly wants out in January.
Next, England international Jesse Lingard feels frustrated at Solskjaer. The England international shone at West Ham last season, but his game time has again dwindled to a similar level as before his loan.
Elsewhere, defenders Eric Bailly, Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles feel that they should be getting more game time. Anthony Martial and Juan Mata also have concerns about their role in Solskjaer’s set up.
Finally, Henderson himself would have liked more minutes this term.
Now it remains to be seen what happens for him in January and beyond.
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