Dean Henderson has joined Nottingham Forest on loan after failing to regain the starting spot from David de Gea last season. The English goalkeeper looked set to be Manchester United's number one after a good 2020/21 campaign, but an ill-timed bout of Covid and the Spanish shot-stopper's return to form have seen Henderson's progress derailed.
Henderson is now back to square one (well, square two). He has joined a newly-promoted side and is hoping to again prove his ability before bidding to claim the No.1 spot at United. While this isn't a position Henderson would have expected to find himself in when he was establishing himself as United's first choice, this could be a good thing for the 25-year-old.
De Gea's contract will expire at the end of the 2023 season if United don't extend his deal and Henderson has shown before that he has the ability and the attitude to be able to settle in at a new club and produce top performances.
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Henderson was arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League while at Sheffield United and was a big reason why the club finished ninth in their first season back in the top flight. The following year, after he had returned to United, the Blades finished 20th.
He has the chance to help a newly-promoted side again while at Forest. Given Brice Samba has joined RC Lens on a permanent deal, Henderson will be first choice and so will be playing regularly. And Forest are also bringing in reinforcements to upgrade their defence.
Having already agreed a deal for defender Moussa Niakhate from Mainz, The Athletic have reported that Forest are also interested in signing Neco Williams from Liverpool and Omar Richards from Bayern Munich. This business will hopefully help Henderson shine.
Given United need to start preparing for life after De Gea and questions have already been raised over whether he will be able to play Ten Hag's brand of football, a strong loan spell could put Henderson in a good position. And then, hopefully, United will not have to loan him out again in the future.
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