Erik ten Hag makes Man Utd transfer U-turn after boss was deliberately ignored

17 August 2023 , 12:32

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Erik ten Hag makes Man Utd transfer U-turn after boss was deliberately ignored

Dean Henderson will remain at Manchester United this season unless the club can sign a replacement before the close of the transfer window.

United had held an interest in signing Japan international shot-stopper Zion Suzuki but the goalkeeper rejected the opportunity to join the club. Despite signing first-choice Andre Onana from Inter, Erik ten Hag has drastically reduced the bloated goalkeeper department at the club.

Matej Kovar has joined Bayer Leverkusen on a permanent deal, while Jack Butland and Nathan Bishop joined Rangers and Sunderland respectively. David de Gea, the club’s long-term No.1, did not have his contract renewed and remains a free agent.

Furthermore, backup goalkeeper Tom Heaton – who was set to stay at Old Trafford despite transfer interest from Luton – has sustained a calf injury and is likely to be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Henderson spent last season on a loan deal at Forest, but an injury picked up in January prematurely ended his season. It had been expected that the East Midlands club would sign him on a permanent deal this summer, but instead moved for Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner.

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A move to Forest has not yet been ruled out but the likelihood of Henderson remaining at United as understudy to Onana has increased. Both player and club are open to a move, but it depends on what offers come in and United also signing a new shot-stopper.

Have Your Say! How would you rate Man Utd’s transfer window so far ? Tell us what you think here.

Henderson has been training with United in pre-season and could yet stay at the club (Getty Images)

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."

Colin Millar