Dean Henderson has blasted Manchester United for their treatment of him last season, calling their behavior ‘criminal’.
Henderson spent two highly successful seasons on loan at Sheffield United, making 82 appearances and keeping 34 clean sheets. He returned to Manchester United in the summer of 2020 to try and replace David de Gea as number one.
The England keeper managed to get ahead of his Spanish counterpart at one point. But then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer started using De Gea again, and interim management replacement Ralf Rangnick did the same.
Henderson was tipped to move away from Old Trafford in January. But despite rumors of interest in Newcastle and Watford, Manchester United kept the goalkeeper in Manchester.
He didn’t play in the Premier League or the Champions League for the rest of the campaign. Henderson knew his time with the Red Devils was over and a move to Nottingham Forest happened in early July.
The former England international will spend the new season on loan at the City Ground. There is no obligation for Forest to buy, although the temporary change may lead to a permanent change.
During an appearance on talkSPORT (Going through Athleticism), Henderson was asked about his move to United in the 2021/22 season. He criticized them for not using him or allowing him to leave on loan.
“The conversation I had, coming out of the Euro 2020 squad, was you coming back to be the number one keeper,” Henderson said.
Dean Henderson slams Man Utd’s ‘criminal’ decision
“I turned down so many good loans last summer for this reason, and they wouldn’t let me go. It was frustrating.
“To sit there and waste 12 months is really criminal, at my age. I was fuming.
When asked if he spoke to Ten Hag before leaving, Henderson continued, “No. I didn’t really want the manager to come and see me in training because I knew he would probably want to keep me.
Henderson is clearly angry at the way he was promised regular playing time at United but never got it. He will be looking to prove the Manchester side wrong by impressing at Forest.
The 25-year-old is still on United’s books so his comments are sure not going to be well received. Maybe it’s part of his plan to push through a permanent transfer somewhere else.
Forest will probably have the first refusal to land him next summer. But that depends on whether they stay in the Prem, as Henderson wants top-flight football, as well as how well the keeper does it.
Other clubs in England are known to admire him and will take a transfer opportunity if one arises.
Meanwhile, a report says Ten Hag still confident United will win the race for Frenkie de Jongdespite Chelsea’s efforts to strike a deal.
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