Transfer News: Manchester United denied late move from Watford for Dean Henderson
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United refuted an attempt from Watford to sign Dean Henderson late on the transfer deadline day. He has struggled to displace David de Gea from the starting spot after the latter’s return to form.
The Hornets made a late enquiry about Henderson as they wanted to solve their issues in the goalkeeping department. He also wanted to leave Old Trafford temporarily in search of more game time but as it turns out, he will stay with us for at least the remainder of this season.
The 24-year-old was also on the radar of Ajax and Newcastle United but the Manchester club was hesitant to let him leave due to lack of time to find an adequate replacement. Whether their dismissal of the interest would lead to unrest from the player would be seen in due time.
What to make of it?
It would have been unwise to let the England international leave this late in the transfer window, so it is understandable why the club has taken that decision. After all, we need to safeguard our interest first and hence it was essential for him to stay with us, at least for the rest of this season.
At the same time, it is not good to keep the Red Devils star benched for long periods since it could adversely affect us in the future. He has played in just four games throughout this campaign with none of those coming in the Premier League. His only league appearances this season came in PL 2 with our Development squad.
Ralf Rangnick has to give the Man United goalkeeper more opportunities moving forward. It would not be too much of a compromise either, as we have seen that he is up to the mark of playing in the PL. This way, we can also keep the Englishman match-sharp.
De Gea had excelled since taking over the role when the Englishman was out on the sidelines due to Covid-19 early this season. He obviously deserves to get the starting spot in most games but we have to create opportunities for others as well. We may be out of the EFL Cup but are still vying for silverware in the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup.
Time will tell whether the Man United ace would gain more prominence in the coming months ahead of the summer transfer window. He is tied down at the club until 2025, with the option of extending it by another year. And so, there is no reason to be concerned in the short term since he could take over the reins when the Spaniard needs to be replaced.
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At 24, he is still quite young and goalkeepers have a long shelf life anyway. It would have been good for the player to have had some playing time elsewhere, be it for the 19th-placed Watford, but it seems that he will have to fight it out for a starting spot at Old Trafford until at least the end of this campaign.