DEAN HENDERSON feels like a new signing for Manchester United.
And it is hardly surprising when you consider that since his last trip to their Carrington HQ, the keeper has been on loan at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United.
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Dean Henderson admits he feels like a new signing at Manchester UnitedCredit: Rex Features
But when he returns from international duty with England, this remarkably confident individual is hunting down United No 1 David De Gea for his place when Crystal Palace come to town a fortnight on Saturday.
Henderson, 23, impressed in his two years under Chris Wilder at Bramall Lane and accepts it will be strange when he finally returns to their training complex.
He said: “I haven’t been in the building for five years. I’ve had a lot of time away. So I’m not too sure what the atmosphere is like — I feel like a new signing at Man United.
“You can get many things from training and obviously can learn off someone like David and the other goalkeepers, the coaches. But I don’t think there’s any substitute for game time.
“I went out from Man United five years ago and started at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and then Sheffield United. It shows how much I’ve learned, out on my own, picking up experiences that happen in games because they’re situations you don’t really get in training.
“I’m not going to improve sat on the bench. I need that game time. For any young goalkeeper, it’s 80 per cent mental.
“I know it sounds weird but by going out and having to prove yourself, going the long way round and going up through the leagues, you’ve got to have a bit of an edge.
“I believe I’ve got that edge. It sets me in good stead and works for me.
“It doesn’t work for everyone but I’m happy with who I am and I’ve got to keep going.”
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The star is hoping to dislodge David De Gea in goal for the Red DevilsCredit: AFP
Henderson made his senior football debut aged 18 for Stockport in January 2016 and will never forget the 1-1 draw with Nuneaton — but for the wrong reasons.
He said: “Stockport was the hardest loan spell of my life. I remember there was a big guy, in the first minute of my debut, and he said ‘Put it on the keeper, he’s pooing himself’ and I thought ‘Oh God!’.
“I’ve gone for the cross, I’ve completely missed it and it went in. I wanted to be swallowed up but I had to dust myself down and get on with it. But I came back and then I just kept learning from there.
“I am thankful I had that at a very young age and, hopefully, I’ve got them out of my system.
“I had a fantastic two years with Chris Wilder. He was a great manager — rough and ready and just what I needed.
“He put me in line when I needed to be put into line but really strongly believed in me, which is something I loved about him.
“Chris made me feel 10ft tall. I can’t thank Chris enough for what he’s done for me. And you have to stand up for yourself.
“There were many times in the changing rooms after games it got heated between the boys but it’s just because we have a passionate group of lads and everyone wanted to win.
“So I’ve been there, I feel like I can deal with it. I’m ready for any challenge thrown my way.”
Henderson’s emergence is also good news for England manager Gareth Southgate, who is preparing for Saturday’s trip to Iceland in the Nations League and the visit to Denmark three days later.
With Jordan Pickford having been unconvincing for Everton, Southgate now has competition for places with Burnley’s Nick Pope and Henderson ready to take the spot.
Henderson added: “I know what I’ve got to do. I’ve got two very good goalkeepers here with me and we’re all challenging for the No 1 shirt. I’m working hard every day to do what I can to be Gareth’s No 1.
“I’m just here to do my job. Obviously I want to play for England and I want to play for Manchester United.
“I’m just going to keep working hard, overcoming my little challenges, my little goals and I’m sure one day I’ll get to where I want to be.
“You’ve just got to come in and be the best goalkeeper in training — that’s all you can do really.
“I haven’t had any caps for the national team, I’m still fighting for my first, so people have got advantages in many ways as they played.
“For me it’s just come in, hold my head high, going there confident as ever, train as hard as ever and then one day it’s going to pay off.”
If Henderson falls short, it certainly will not be through a lack of belief. More
