Aheed Abrar
Erik ten Hag urges Dean Henderson to fight for a place at Manchester United
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has urged shot-stopper Dean Henderson to fight for his place in the team amidst interest from Nottingham Forest.
The 26-year-old spent the 2022/23 term on loan at the Tricky Trees. Now, the City Ground side are looking to acquire the goalkeeper’s services on a permanent basis this summer. However, the Red Devils have rejected the West Bridgford-based club’s initial proposal of a loan with an obligation to buy the English national.
As things stand, Henderson is on the sidelines. But the shot-stopper is nearing his return from injury. Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag has given the 26-year-old an incentive to make a place for himself in the team.
“We have a group of keepers and, as everyone else, you have to fight for your position. I think that’s normal when you’re at United. And he is a good goalie, he has to fight and we have to see when he can return to team training.”
The English national made his way through the youth ranks at Man United before breaking into the first team. The goalkeeper’s temporary move to Sheffield United helped him establish himself in the Red Devils’ senior squad.
Subsequently, in the 2020/21 term, Henderson shared minutes with David de Gea and looked set to take over as the number one. However, the Spaniard managed to retain his place in between the sticks.
After that, the English national found game time hard to come by under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rald Rangnick. Then, last summer, Forest came calling for his services.
Henderson was impressive for the Tricky Trees in the first half of the season. Unfortunately, the shot-stopper picked up a knock in January and has been on the sidelines ever since.
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However, whether the English national will get an opportunity at the club remains to be seen. As things stand, Andre Onana looks to be the new first-choice goalkeeper at the Old Trafford side after the departure of De Gea.
