Manchester United Would Be Smart to Send Dean Henderson On Loan Once Again

Manchester United must make a decision regarding the future of their goalkeeping depth heading into the next season. The club must figure out what they are going to do with Dean Henderson. The 23-year-old goalkeeper who has emerged as a brilliant shot-stopper for Sheffield United this term.

Henderson has spent most of his career on loan, but he is making a huge impression at Sheffield. So much, that teams such as Chelsea and Paris SG are keen to sign him next summer due to his impressive displays with The Blades. However, the Old Trafford side are not keen to part ways with him any time soon. At least not on a permanent basis.

That does not mean he will be playing for The Red Devils in 2020-21, though. According to recent reports, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to send him out on loan next term as well. At least on paper, the idea looks like a smart one. Let’s analyze United’s goalkeeping depth for the next season.

David De Gea is not going anywhere. Despite his mistakes here and there, he remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Sergio Romero must be one of the best back-up goalkeepers in Europe, and he is always ready when called upon duty. Being realistic, Henderson would be United’s third-string goalkeeper in 2020-21. That could hinder his development considerably and Manchester United can’t afford that to happen.

Moving towards the 2021-22 season, however, the scenario could change. De Gea would begin to move past his prime, while both Romero and Lee Grant could be out of the club altogether. Henderson, on the other hand, would be coming off a second straight loan spell at a Premier League as a starter while being only 24 years old. In other words, he would be more than ready to challenge De Gea for the starting role.

Let’s not look too far ahead into the future, though. Right now, Manchester United must be smart and think about the club’s long-term plans. In that scenario, sending Henderson on loan next summer is the smartest thing to do, for both the club and the player himself.