Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson backed to become England's number one

And the Sheffield United manager backed the 22-year-old to become England’s undisputed number one.

Wilder was speaking after watching Henderson make a crucial save during United’s victory over AFC Bournemouth, moments before John Lundstram’s effort lifted his team to fifth in the Premier League table.

On loan from Manchester United, Henderson has forced himself into Gareth Southgate’s squad ahead of this summer’s European Championships with a series of commanding performances since moving to Bramall Lane 20 months ago.

Although he has yet to win a senior cap, Wilder believes the youngster poses a serious threat to Jordan Pickford’s hopes of starting the tournament.

“Dean is making a case to get in the England team outright, yes,” Wilder said. “I’ve maintained it all along, if there’s a better goalie in the division right now then I don’t know who that is.”

As The Star revealed last month, United have already opened talks with officials at Old Trafford about renewing Henderson’s agreement for a third successive campaign, after the player insisted he would rather play than accept the role of David de Gea’s understudy.

Those negotiations, despite being at a preliminary stage, are expected to continue between now and the end of the campaign; by which time United hope to be competing in Europe themselves.

They fly to Dubai for a mid-season break tonight only two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, who occupy the final Champions League berth at present.

Despite only being promoted last term, United continued their consolidated their top six credentials with a gutsy display against relegated threatened Bournemouth.

Callum Robinson fired the visitors in front early on before Wilder’s side wrestled back the momentum just before the break when Sharp pounced from close range.

Henderson’s block to deny Ryan Fraser turned out to be a pivotal moment of a contest played out in difficult conditions when Lundstram, who had been introduced from the bench midway through the second period, converted his fellow substitute Lys Mousset’s assist.

“Everyone talks about concentration levels and Deano and the lads have got those,” Wilder said. “At that moment, I was looking to my right a lot the way we were kicking.

“But when it mattered, he came up with the goods.”