Varun Pai
Roberto Martinez sends message to Manchester United ace Dean Henderson amidst uncertain future
Speaking to Amazon Prime Video, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News, Belgium national team boss Roberto Martinez claimed that Dean Henderson shall have to make a decision by himself on his uncertain Manchester United future.
The 24-year-old was primed to start the campaign between the posts for his boyhood club. Unfortunately, he contracted the Covid-19 disease and had to sit out the opening two months of the season. David de Gea was given the opportunity to continue in the No 1 role, and the Spaniard has taken it with both hands.
His performances have bailed Man United out in quite a few games. However, this has restricted Henderson to only two games this season- a Carabao Cup tie and the dead-rubber draw against BSC Young Boys in early December.
The Englishman is looking to make an exit in January, but Ralf Rangnick has now blocked any potential deal since he wants three first-team ready goalkeepers. Tottenham Hotspur are still viewing a summer move, but a deal in January might not be possible. Belgium boss Roberto Martinez has now provided the goalkeeper with some valuable advice over his future.
“It is very difficult when you taste first-team football, in terms of playing week in, week out, to then become a number two. When you see that David de Gea’s reaching that level, then it could get quite frustrating. I think that’s a very personal decision, there is no right or wrong. Should he be playing?
“Well, being a number two at a club like Manchester United can give you fantastic moments like winning titles and preparing you for the future, but it’s almost what you’re prepared to do. Dean needs to make a decision based on what he really wants to do and master it at this point.”
Wise words
Martinez, who left Everton in 2016, may not have been the most successful boss in the Premier League, but he has done well with Belgium in the last half a decade and is certainly a legend in Wigan Athletic’s recent history books. Thus, he certainly knows what he is talking about. Every player wants game-time, but unfortunately, that is not the way football works.
Henderson is right to feel unfortunate about his situation, but he cannot argue with the club over their decision to keep him. Unless Man United make any mid-season additions in that role, their only other back-up to De Gea would be to play Tom Heaton, if the Englishman does leave.
Thus, Rangnick has made a calculated decision in the best interest of the club. Moreover, the player has a contract until 2025, and it remains to be seen what fee we may demand from any suitor to sign him on a permanent deal- if we ever put him up for sale. A potential summer move could be considered, but it is also important to remember that De Gea shall enter the final year of his deal at the end of this season.
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The shot-stopper could have an eye on the 2022 World Cup, and game-time is likely to be a must to seal a spot in the squad. Thus, it is a tough situation for the keeper, but with the UCL and the FA Cup set to begin in the coming months, he could find some more joy and make a valid case for him starting week in and week out amidst his uncertain future.
