21 July 2023 , 14:13
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Manchester United are expected to change their stance on Dean Henderson's exit from the club as interest from Nottingham Forest continues to linger.
Initially, the Red Devils were expected to only sanction the goalkeeper's departure if Forest were to pay a transfer fee and take the England international on a permanent basis. Henderson has flown out to the USA with the rest of the United squad for their pre-season tour, but could soon jet back as Steve Cooper's side have submitted a proposal to take the 'keeper on loan.
He spent last term at the City Ground on a season-long loan but saw his campaign cut short by injury. The Manchester Evening News has outlined that Forest approached United over a deal that would see Henderson move on loan with an obligation to make the deal permanent if he made a certain number of appearances next season.
While it was widely believed United would reject another loan proposal for Henderson, another temporary exit is now on the cards. Forest are aiming to take both him and fellow Red Devil Anthony Elanga, though the latter would be on a permanent basis.
Henderson's long-term future at Old Trafford has been in doubt ever since his explosive rant aimed at those at the top of the club hierarchy last summer.
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"I didn't want the manager to come in and be able to see me in training. I knew he'd probably want to keep me, so I tried to do it all before I left for the season. I told all the hierarchy I need to go and play football, I don't want to be here playing second fiddle," he told talkSPORT when explaining why he joined Forest on loan last year.
Dean Henderson has been linked with a return to Nottingham Forest (Getty Images)Mirror Football is now on Threads! You can follow us here.
"It was all planned out. I was almost gone before the manager came through the door and I haven't spoken to him since. To be honest with you, it's probably been the toughest 12 months of my career. It's been tough, it's been hard and I'm so happy I've got out the other end of it. I'm so excited to be here and ready to go."
Henderson opened up on how he felt misled by those calling the shots at Old Trafford, having been told he'd be first-choice between the sticks only to then find out he would continue being David de Gea's understudy.
"The conversation I had coming out of that Euros squad was 'You're coming back here to be the number one goalkeeper'. I got Covid, come back, I should have still been the number one, but unfortunately, no one followed through with anything they told me.
"It was frustrating because I turned down so many good loans last summer for that reason and they wouldn't let me go. So, it was frustrating. To sit there and waste 12 months, it's criminal really at my age."
Whether there remains a chance for Henderson to salvage a career at Old under Erik ten Hag remains to be seen, but it looks increasingly unlikely as Forest test United's resolve regarding a loan deal once again.