Sheffield United urge Manchester United to make a quick decision about Dean Henderson's future

Amid growing calls for the 23-year-old to be installed as Manchester United’s number one next term - David de Gea producing another error-strewn display during Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea - officials at Bramall Lane remain have made an approach to renew the player’s loan for a second time ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.

Although Chris Wilder concedes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will do “what’s best” for the 20-time English champions rather than his own squad, the United manager admitted the rescheduled fixture calendar means he would prefer to be informed of the Norwegian’s intentions sooner rather than later.

“From our point of view, we’d like to know as soon as possible,” Wilder told The Star. “But that isn’t always going to be the case.

“Who knows what happens between now and the end of the season? They (Manchester United) are in control and they’re rightly in control - because Dean is their player - so I’ve got no issue or problem with that whatsoever.”

Outlining his position before United’s defeat by Everton last night and also de Gea’s calamitous performance against Frank Lampard’s side, who now face Arsenal in next month’s showpiece at Wembley Stadium, Wilder has already moved to strengthen his goalkeeping department by signing Wes Foderingham. But the former Rangers man’s arrival is designed to provide competition for places rather than provide United with a direct replacement for Henderson should Solskjaer elect to reject Wilder’s request.

With the new season set to begin in mid-September as football continues to feel the after-effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, Wilder is keen to avoid a situation whereby United miss-out on both Henderson and the alternative options they have identified in the transfer market because of any procrastination on Solskjaer’s part. However, after cultivating his relationship coaching staff in the North-West, Wilder believes Manchester United minded to be as helpful as possible - even providing United with off the record guidance about their plans for the next phase of Henderson’s career using a back channel between the two clubs.

However, the issue is far from straightforward for Solskjaer himself. Despite acknowledging that Henderson is destined to become a regular starter at Old Trafford, and being informed he only wants to return as first choice, Wilder’s opposite number has remained steadfast in his support for de Gea - whose reported £350,000 a week wage could make it difficult to find a buyer.

After helping United win promotion from the Championship 15 months ago, Henderson has been instrumental in their rise to eighth in the table ahead of Sunday’s visit to Southampton - a match which brings down the curtain on another successful campaign for Wilder’s team.

“I don’t want to talk about individuals,” Wilder said following the meeting with Everton, which ended United’s hopes of reaching the Europa League.

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