Richard Sutcliffe has made a claim about where Dean Henderson will be next season, during a Q&A on The Athletic.
What did he say?
Henderson has been a key player for the Blades this season, playing 24 Premier League games, keeping a total of eight clean sheets.
This continues his work from last season, making 46 Championship appearances to help gain promotion, keeping an impressive total of 21 clean sheets.
While there is plenty of excitement about his role in getting Sheffield United to their current place of fifth in the Premier League table, thoughts have strayed to what will happen next season.
Sutcliffe has made a big claim about the goalkeeper’s future when asked during the Q&A: “No option to buy, Ben. Will return to Old Trafford at the end of the season. Decision as to what happens next probably belongs to Henderson. Does he stay and challenge for the number 1 shirt at Manchester United? Or does he think his career be best served by going out again for another year on loan in the Premier League?
“My hunch is he will stay at OT and challenge De Gea, believing he can be first choice. Blades will realise this and have one eye on next summer and a new first choice keeper. Chris Wilder got a bit frustrated last summer when waiting for the Henderson deal to go through – even then suggesting he had a back-up signing lined up in case the deal didn’t happen.”
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A decision to make
There is certainly a decision for Henderson to make when the season comes to its culmination, as if he is going to usurp De Gea, then this is arguably the best time to do it.
The Spaniard has made some big errors and looked suspect from balls into the box at times, as was the case with his weak attempt at a punch against Everton.
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However, having had such regular game time, the 22-year-old will likely be wary of having a season of watching on from the sidelines, so with the Blades progressing so well in the top tier this campaign, there could be a temptation to stay put.
Though, as Sutcliffe has suggested is already the case, it is vital that Chris Wilder has other targets in mind for the eventuality that he does go back to Old Trafford.
Meanwhile, what a Blades key figure said to Sander Berge on his first day has been revealed.