The goalkeeper situation at Manchester United just got a lot more interesting. The club announced on Wednesday that they have signed the talented Dean Henderson to a new five-year deal, keeping him with the club until the summer of 2025. As part of the agreement, United also has a team option to extend the contract for one more year.
Henderson spent the last season on a successful loan with Sheffield United, where he kept 13 clean sheets and received a nomination for Premier League Young Player of the Season. The 23-year-old goalie was linked with several high-profile clubs this summer, including Man Utd’s rival Chelsea, but he decided to stay at Old Trafford and try to compete for the starting spot.
“The pathway that I have been on for the past five years has been fantastic for my development, and the invaluable loan period at Sheffield United has been part of that,” said Henderson, who joined Manchester United at the age of 14. “The goalkeeping department at United is excellent; there are three top-level goalkeepers who have achieved so much in the game, and I look forward to working with the group.”
United now find themselves in a curious situation after extending Henderson. He is obviously the club’s future and one of the most talented goalies in England, having already received a call-up for the national team. However, they also have one of the best goalkeepers in the world on their roster in David De Gea.
Despite a weak 2019/20 season, De Gea is still highly regarded and certainly believes he should not be doubted as the club’s No.1 goalie. Also, he signed a massive contract extension that will keep him with United until summer of 2023, so he is unlikely to leave anytime soon.
While the best option for Man Utd would be to loan Henderson again and let him get more experience, the club’s manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is open to have a goalkeeper competition. It remains to be seen whether this works out without disturbing the peace in the locker room.
“We are delighted that Dean has signed his new contract,” said Solskjaer. “We are in a strong position within the goalkeeping department and that gives us the competition for places that we are looking for in the squad.”
