Why Leeds United should sign Manchester United star Dean Henderson
According to Leeds Live, Dean Henderson has been tipped to move away from Manchester United, with links to Leeds United emerging. Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood was of the opinion that the young shot-stopper would benefit from some time away from the club.
The United second-choice keeper, who returned from a two-year loan spell at Sheffield United, was given his position behind De Gea this season.
Profile
Dean Henderson started his footballing education at Carlisle United before joining Man United’s youth system back in 2011. He signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils after impressing for the club’s U-18 side.
Henderson then went through a series of loan spells at Stockport County, Grimsby Town and Shrewsbury Town before joining Sheffield United on loan in the Championship in 2018.
The 23-year-old played every minute of Sheffield United’s Championship campaign, managing 21 clean sheets in 46 appearances as the Blades finished runners-up and secured promotion to the Premier League.
Henderson rejoined the Yorkshire outfit on a second successive loan and guided Chris Wilder’s side to an impressive 9th-place finish in the PL last term, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process.
Henderson signed a new long-term contract with United following his return from loan. He made his senior debut against Luton Town in the League Cup and has made 5 first-team appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions so far. He recently earned his senior debut for England in a friendly against the Republic of Ireland.
Leeds can benefit from Dean Henderson
Leeds may have secured promotion by winning the Championship last season and despite a decent start to this Premier League season, they have slipped away a bit since.
The Whites are in 14th place and have conceded 20 goals in their 11 games so far. Bielsa’s men have impressed fans with their style of play but it has not been helped with an inexperienced goalkeeper between the sticks.
Illan Meslier is a decent young shot-stopper with a lot of potential but his lack of top-flight experience is visible at times. That has cost them points this season which might have been prevented by a more established goalkeeper.
In Dean Henderson, they can get a good blend of experience and youth. The Manchester United man was ever-present for Sheffield United from 2018 to 2020 as they secured promotion and had a fantastic season in the Premier League last season. He was a huge presence in goal last season and one of the best keepers in the league that season.
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It would be rather hard to convince Manchester United to send Henderson on loan to Leeds given the traditional rivalry between the two sides. However, this could be a mutually beneficial move as it would help both the clubs as well as the player.
Henderson would get to play on a regular basis while Leeds would get a bright goalkeeper to man their posts.
