Former Premier League striker Noel Whelan believes Dean Henderson may have squandered his chance to succeed David de Gea as Manchester United’s number one.
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan feels comments made by Henderson about his loan to Nottingham Forest will cost any dreams of taking that place dearly.
Henderson said he was the victim of false promises regarding his place in United’s squad under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last season.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper described United’s actions as “criminal” and says he feels he “wasted” a year of his career after claiming he was promised the number one spot.
Henderson started last season on the sidelines due to a COVID outbreak and David de Gea’s form meant the Englishman was resigned to just a handful of appearances throughout the campaign.
Whelan believes the comments after the move to Forest were ill-advised and that United will now look elsewhere for their replacement for De Gea.
“If I were the manager or owner of a club like Man United, I would be telling him to get on with his career elsewhere. Now they might be willing to go out and spend more money to get someone else in,” he said.
Whelan went on to describe the outburst as “crazy” and reiterated his belief that it will cost Henderson his jersey in the future.
“It’s crazy of him to go out there and be so immature and bitter, when he still could have had a job to do. I think he has blown his chance.”
Henderson would have only potentially had this season to bide his time, as De Gea’s contract expires at the end of this campaign. However, United have the option to extend for another year.
Rumors are already circulating about a replacement for De Gea. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak appear to be the main candidates.
Whoever succeeds De Gea will have big gloves to fill. Sir Matt Busby’s four-time player of the season is not only one of United’s best to wear the shirt, but one of the best goalkeepers of his generation.
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