Manchester United considered recalling Dean Henderson from his Nottingham Forest loan spell, according to TalkSPORT journalist Alex Crook. The Red Devils are now set to land Jack Butland from Crystal Palace instead.
This would have been truly heartbreaking news for Forest. Henderson has been the club’s number-one stopper throughout 2022/23 and has won several points for the Reds.
The United incumbent is only on loan at the City Ground, however. He is on a season-long deal and the Reds don’t have any option to sign him included in the arrangement.
That has left them somewhat at the clutches of United. Now, it’s emerged that Erik ten Hag did actually consider bringing Henderson back to act as the number two to David de Gea.
It’s unlikely that the Forest man would have welcomed that decision. He was very public in his condemnation of United for the way he had been treated the year before after signing for the Reds.
The 25-year-old will address his future once more during the summer. He will remain under contract at Old Trafford but he’s openly suggested that he wants to play regular football.
Now, Forest can put this to bed and continue with Henderson between the posts. He should keep his place in the team for tonight’s massive six-point clash against Southampton.
United considered recalling Henderson from Forest
This would have been completely disastrous. Losing Henderson would have threatened to derail the last few months and all the good work that was starting to be put in place.
A good goalkeeper is worth their weight in gold. Henderson has enjoyed some seriously magic moments during 2022/23, most notably his last-gasp save from Virgil van Dijk during a win over Liverpool.
The England goalkeeper continues to shine for the Reds. His goalkeeping is sound and as a proven Premier League performer, he’s integral to Steve Cooper and his team’s fortunes.