Sheffield United, Manchester United and the great Dean Henderson dilemma

“There’s no doubt about his potential,” the great Dane said. “But he’s played one season at a club that’s had a great season in the Premier League. I’ve seen guys come into Old Trafford with brilliant reputations and they haven’t been able to do what they promised. That’s simply because the pressures at Old Trafford are different, just different, you know.”

Schmeichel, who made nearly 400 appearances for the 20-time English champions, appreciates what it takes to perform under intense scrutiny. But Chris Wilder, who has spent the past two years observing Henderson at close quarters, has no doubts whatsoever about the 23-year-old’s personality. Indeed, his self-belief and mental toughness, which sometimes borders on the vainglorious, were responsible for convincing Sheffield United’s manager that he was the missing piece in the jigsaw the club needed to complete before it could reach the Premier League.

Twenty-two months ago, when Henderson agreed the first of two season long loans at Bramall Lane, it marked the end of a process which had actually begun nearly 100 weeks earlier following Wilder’s appointment.

Despite being satisfied with the goalkeepers he had inherited from Nigel Adkins, the lifelong United fan and former Blades player quickly decided something was missing between the posts.

“It takes a special type of person to be a successful ‘keeper here,” Wilder told one of his most trusted lieutenants during a recruitment meeting. “Someone who’s got a bit of an aura around them and enjoys the spotlight.”

It was precisely that theory, developed after watching the likes of Alan Kelly and Paddy Kenny in action during his regular visits back to South Yorkshire, which saw the former Halifax, Oxford and Northampton Town chief name Simon Moore as his number one after signing him from Cardiff City. It proved to be an inspired move, with United keeping 16 clean sheets en route to the 2017 League One title before Jamal Blackman, a Champions League medal winner with Chelsea, arrived to provide Moore with competition.

Wilder was happy with both men and, although Blackman later returned to Stamford Bridge, Moore remains with United. But one of the 52-year-old most important managerial principles is the desire to always want more. And as United were falling just short in their pursuit of a play-off place, his interest had been piqued by the performances of a precocious talent doing big things on loan at Shrewsbury Town; then en route to a top six finish themselves in the third tier of English football.

Henderson, who had been dispatched to Shropshire by Manchester United in order to gain experience, already enjoyed a burgeoning reputation within coaching circles despite having never played above the third tier.

But it was the way he carried himself, his ability to shrug off mistakes and come roaring back with crucial saves, which really impressed Wilder and persuaded him Henderson had the character to ensure his squad continued moving forward. Forty-six appearances later, Henderson was celebrating promotion as United climbed out of the Championship.

Speaking before the first match of the present campaign, which has been suspended due to coronavirus, Wilder explained that managing Henderson, who has no qualms about talking up his credentials, can present certain challenges.

“We’ve got to reign him in a bit at times,” he said. “But, being totally honest, I like that side in him.

“I enjoy the fact he’s got so much ambition, that he believes in himself, and wants to show everyone why.”

In a sense, Henderson and Wilder are made for one another; which the latter hopes, coupled with Schmeichel’s assessment, will see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer grant United permission to extend the former’s agreement for a second time later this summer.

Although he is happy to cajole and encourage - “You need different types in a dressing room for it to be successful” - Wilder prefers working with low maintenance footballers who can stand on their own two feet. Henderson certainly ticks that particular box as his response to Wilder’s criticism following a high-profile error against Liverpool in September, demonstrated. After being told he must do better in order to realise his England ambitions, Henderson kept three clean sheets in his next four outings as United began their march to seventh in the table and, until Covid-19 intervened, the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Only the enforced postponement of international friendlies against Italy and Denmark prevented Henderson from winning his first senior cap last month, with sources suggesting Gareth Southgate was poised to select him for the meeting with the Scandinavians at Wembley.

Given that he played alongside Solskjaer for three years, Schmeichel’s assessment of Henderson’s suitability to replace de Gea, who has proven far from flawless of late, should resonate with the Norwegian. Which, after making an approach to extend his loan to cover the 2020/21 campaign before Christmas, could be no bad thing for United.

Indeed, several of Solskjaer’s ex-team mates have implored him to renew Henderson’s agreement with Wilder’s employers; arguing regular senior football will accelerate his development and enable Manchester United to park a decision about retaining de Gea’s services for at least another year.

Henderson’s advisors are also thought to be delighted with how United, including goalkeeping coach Darren Ward, have improved their client and are minded to accept their proposal unless the Spaniard leaves the North-West.

As The Star revealed last month, an offer to spend time with a Champions League club could prompt a rethink. But that seems unlikely, given that next season’s entrants from the continent’s leading teams are all well-stocked in this department and playing in a league regarded as being inferior to the PL would not serve Henderson’s interests. United are also chasing a place in Europe themselves after climbing to within five points of fourth-placed Chelsea with 10 matches remaining.

Although Schmeichel’s approach appears to make perfect footballing sense for Manchester United, Solskjaer will also be aware it is fraught with danger on a personal level.

The longer Henderson stays in Sheffield, the more emotionally attached to Wilder’s side he is likely to grow. Thibaut Courtois spent several years on loan with Atletico Madrid during his time with Chelsea and, with his family established in the Spanish capital, found it difficult to settle when he returned to London. Although the geographical distances involved in Henderson’s case make it less likely something similar will happen, Solskjaer could still factor it into his thinking. But he would still be faced with the problem that Henderson has made it clear he wants to start matches, rather than watch them from the bench.

“We’ve expressed an interest in bringing Dean back but I don’t want to keep pushing that button,” Wilder said, conscious of the fact he does not want to irritate Solskjaer by constantly debating Henderson’s situation. “I’m sure conversations between Dean, United, and his representatives have been ongoing.”

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