27 July 2023 , 14:26
662
0
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has told Dean Henderson to fight for a first-team place despite the signing of Andre Onana at Old Trafford.
United have held an interest in signing Japan international shot-stopper Zion Suzuki from Urawa Reds but they are growing pessimistic on a deal, as the US-born goalkeeper is said to hold reservations over not being guaranteed regular first-team football.
The club have also identified Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as an option to provide competition for Onana. The Turkish international is thought to be available for a fee in the region of £5million and could replace Henderson, who is wanted by Nottingham Forest.
Henderson spent last season on a loan deal at Forest, but an injury picked up in January prematurely ended his season. The East Midlands club now want him on a permanent basis, with United believed to be open to a sale in the region of £30million.
However, Ten Hag’s latest comments suggest that Henderson may still have a place at Old Trafford – despite Onana’s arrival and his desire to move to Forest.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
"We have a group of keepers and, as everyone else, you have to fight for your position," Ten Hag said. "I think that's normal when you're at United. And he is a good goalie, he has to fight and we have to see when he can return to team training."
Henderson has been training with United in pre-season but has been linked with a move to Nottingham Forest (Getty Images) Have Your Say! At what price should Man Utd sell Henderson? Tell us what you think here.
Jack Butland has already left to join Rangers and Nathan Bishop has an agreement to join Sunderland, while Tom Heaton has been linked with a switch to Luton. David de Gea has also left United at the end of his contract.
Ten Hag’s demand is to have three goalkeepers in his senior squad, meaning that it is likely one of Henderson, Heaton or Matej Kovar will be retained – but both may be should another goalkeeper not be signed.
Kovar, 23, impressed on a loan spell at Sparta Prague last season making 32 appearances having also enjoyed loan stints at Swindon and Burton Albion. He has also been capped up to Under-21 level by the Czech Republic.
Ten Hag has yet to have a proper opportunity to assess Henderson, who admitted last summer that he felt badly let down by the club’s hierarchy and was intent on exiting – despite the change of manager with the Dutchman’s arrival.
Speaking in August last year to talkSport, Henderson lamented: "I didn't want the manager (Ten Hag) 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 the hierarchy I need to go and play football, I don't want to be here playing second fiddle.
"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."