Man Utd CAN take Dean Henderson from Sheffield United but that DOESN'T mean they should, says former Chelsea and Liverpool star

The Blades number one is at Bramall Lane on a temporary deal from Manchester United and that contract is due to run out next month.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic forcing the shutdown of football since mid-March and plans are in place to complete the season as soon as possible, the campaign will run beyond Henderson’s deal with the Old Trafford outfit.

The main issue arises from the fact that Sheffield United are currently a direct rival to their Manchester namesakes in the race for European places for next season.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are in fifth as things stand which would guarantee a Europa League spot, while they are just three points off the Champions League places.

The Blades’ incredible first season back in the top flight has them two points behind Manchester United but with a game in hand.

Henderson has been in superb form for Chris Wilder’s men and a departure would weaken their chances of picking up one of those lucrative places.

The decision-makers in Manchester would be well within their rights to take the 23-year-old back but according to former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson, it would be wrong for them to do so.

"It's a difficult one because contracts run to June or July as opposed to actually saying 'the season end',” Johnson told Talksport. “Man United are going to think, well if we have got a chance to bring our player back and hinder their progress then of course they are going to want to do it.

“Personally I think if a player has gone on season loan, forget the date that is on the contract, I think they should be allowed to stay for the season, whether that overruns or not.

"Sheffield United have paid a season fee to Man United, to have him for the season therefore they should get him for the season. 99.9 per cent of the time, the season ends on time, so people don’t usually talk about these sorts of things in contract terms.

“I think he should be allowed to stay but you can understand why (Manchester) United want to get him back.

Asked if Manchester United would do everything they can to get him back, Johnson replied: "If they are allowed to...of course they will."

"It's not going to be the best thing for the player and it's certainly not going to be the best thing for Sheffield United but if you are in Man United's camp it's going to be the best thing for you."

He added: "The player would want that as well. He's obviously playing fantastically well and playing every week so no player wants that to end.

"Every club out there will bend the rules in their favour when available.

“Dean is going to want to finish what he started. If he goes back to United, it's only to hinder Sheffield United, it's not going to help Dean in any way."