Wilder opens up on Henderson situation with joke about Man Utd ‘threat’

Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has insisted that Manchester United will not look to recall goalkeeper Dean Henderson because of the “threat” posed by his side in the Champions League qualification race.

The Blades occupy seventh place in the Premier League table with 43 points, two behind fifth-placed United in the hunt for next season’s premier European competition.

However, with the English top flight halted since the middle of March due to the pandemic, mid-June has been mooted as a suitable restart date for matches.

Henderson’s second successive loan spell with the Blades expires at the end of that month and with the season set to go on into July, clubs are reportedly being asked to make decisions on deal extensions.

In United’s case, it has been claimed that the Red Devils could look to keep Henderson at Old Trafford given that the Blades are hot on their heels in the table.

Speaking to beIN Sports’ Keys & Gray Show, however, Wilder was unfazed by such talk and insisted that his side are not a threat to Old Trafford counterpart Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

In response to Richard Keys’ question about “hanging on” to Henderson, Wilder said: “Have you just said something there about a Champions League place? We’ve only just got enough points to stay in the Premier League.

“Sheffield United competing with Man United for a Champions League place, Rich are you sure? We’re not a threat to them.

“I personally think it will be morally correct to leave [Henderson] playing with Sheffield United for the last 10 games of the season.

Because of the legalities and the situation regarding the expiry of the loan, they might take that decision [to recall him], but we are not a threat to Man U.

“They will be quite happy with the players that they have got that will see them through the season?

A Ford Fiesta isn’t going to get past a Ferrari, Rich.”

The Blades have been impressive upon their return to the Premier League this term, with Henderson a key part of the side.

The Englishman, who has 10 clean sheets this term – one behind leader Nick Pope – earned his first call-up to the national team in October.

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