Dean Henderson bullish over Man Utd future as keeper sets sights on being Red Devils and England No1

DEAN HENDERSON is certain he will eventually become England and Manchester United’s No 1.

And the goalkeeper says he was ‘born ready’ to step in if Jordan Pickford is unable to play during the Euros.

After a string of loan spells away from Old Trafford, including two impressive campaigns with Sheffield United, the 24-year-old battled it out with David De Gea for the No1 shirt.

Henderson was on the bench for a large majority of last season, only to force his way between the sticks late in the campaign after De Gea headed back to Spain when his wife gave birth.

But he was dropped in the final few matches including the Europa League final defeat.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a decision on his hands over the goalkeeper situation during a summer when Henderson will be serving as back-up to England’s Pickford at the Euros.

Speaking to talkSPORT, Henderson said: “Listen, that’s my job.

“I’m here, I’m ready to play when called upon.

“Jordan deserves this tournament, obviously he was brilliant at the World Cup.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Jordan, obviously he’s a northern boy like me, we get on really well and he’s been fantastic in an England jersey, so he deserves this tournament.

“And I’ll be there ready, like Sam [Johnstone] will be as well, if the opportunity arises and one of us get on the pitch.

“But my aim for this tournament is to help Jordan in the best way I can and really support him for him to perform the best for our country because it’s the team work and hopefully it’ll make the dream work.”

Asked if he would be ready if Pickford, for whatever reason, did not play, Henderson said: “100 per cent. 100 per cent, born ready.”

The United academy graduate certainly does not lack self-belief and has never shied away from his long-term ambition to become number one for club and country.

“Yeah, 100 per cent,” Henderson said of his intention to take that role at United and England.

“I’ve spoken about this for years. Whether it’s get me in trouble speaking about it, whether it holds me back at certain times, it probably does.

“But at the end of the day it’ll happen one day and I know it’ll happen, so I’m just going to keep working hard day in, day out and my time will come. I’ve just got to be ready for when that time comes.

“There’s no excuses when you step over that white line. You’ve got to puff your chest out and go for it and everything that you’ve put in day in, day out, all the training, everything, pays off.”

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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk