Aaron Ramsdale reveals Dean Henderson's reaction when he replaced him at Sheffield United

Aaron Ramsdale has revealed how Dean Henderson, the man he has replaced in goal for Sheffield United, wished him all the best after completing an emotional return to Bramall Lane.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Chris Wilder, the Premier League club’s manager, paid AFC Bournemouth an eight figure sum to resign Ramsdale earlier this week - three years after selling him to the south coast club.

Wilder swooped for the 22-year-old when it became apparent that Henderson’s loan from Manchester United would prove impossible to renew for a second time. Despite admitting that Henderson leaves big gloves to fill - after helping Wilder’s team gain promotion from the Championship, he was a driving force behind their climb to ninth last term - Ramsdale outlined his ambition to surpass his friend’s achievements and eventually join him in England’s senior squad.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He (Henderson) messaged me when it all went through,” Ramsdale told The Star. “We’re mates and we talk a fair bit. I actually saw him on holiday too - we went to Mykonos in Greece - and I class him as a friend. We had a good old chat out there, about how things were going for us and how we hoped everything would pan out, so I definitely class him as one of my friends. So even though it was brilliant of him to do it - to get in touch when I came back here - I wasn’t surprised because that’s the kind of person he is.”

Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture date: 19th August 2020. Picture credit should read: Simon Bellis/SportimageGoalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture date: 19th August 2020. Picture credit should read: Simon Bellis/Sportimage
Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale signs for Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Sheffield. Picture date: 19th August 2020. Picture credit should read: Simon Bellis/Sportimage

Ramsdale progressed through United’s youth system before moving to The Vitality Stadium in 2017; three months before Wilder’s side were crowned League One champions. Although Bournemouth were relegated last season, Ramsdale embellished his reputation with a series of impressive performances after making his top-flight debut - against United - on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Henderson also gained an army of admirers - and a call-up by Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate - after emerging as one of the country’s most exciting young talents following his move to United.

Ramsdale, who has been capped at under-21 level, said: “Hopefully Dean and I are going to be seeing a fair bit of each other over the next few years, if everything works out as we’d like it to. We always push each other and help each other.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s a year older than me and so he’s a bit ahead of me. If it happens (an England call-up) eventually, then it would be the proudest moment of my life. But I’m not thinking about that at the moment - only doing well for United. If it happens, it happens.”

Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson before his return to Old Trafford: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire.Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson before his return to Old Trafford: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire.
Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson before his return to Old Trafford: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire.

“I know people are going to compare us both,” Ramsdale added. “That’s inevitable, really. But I’m my own person and we’re very different people.

“I can’t wait to get started here and back out on that pitch in a United shirt again and I’ve got to aim to do even better than he did.”