Manchester United's 1-0 win over Wolves last Monday evening marked exactly seven months to the day since Dean Henderson last played.
It was, therefore, quite fitting that it was the first time that he had featured in a matchday squad since Nottingham Forest's 2-0 win over Leicester City at the City Ground. The goalkeeper suffered a thigh injury that afternoon, initially ruling him out for an expected period of six weeks.
It was a cruel blow for the 26-year-old, who had played almost every minute of Forest's first Premier League campaign in more than two decades up until that juncture, only missing the 3-0 defeat to United in December because he was ineligible to play against his parent club. Henderson had joined the City Ground club on loan in July last year.
The temporary switch to the City Ground provided him with an opportunity to get his career back on track after a frustrating 2021/22 campaign that featured just three appearances at Old Trafford. His January injury, however, stalled his momentum.
Want to join our MUFC Pro club for a totally ad-free version of the MEN's Man United app packed with premium features? Click here.
READ MORE: United considering U-turn on plans to bring Mason Greenwood back into squad
To make matters worse for the former Sheffield United loanee, his injury turned out to be much worse than first feared, resulting in him requiring thigh surgery and an extended spell on the sidelines. He did not feature in any of United's eight pre-season friendlies, yet found himself on the bench for the season opener after Tom Heaton suffered a calf injury in training.
Heaton was in line to start the season as United's No.2, providing back-up to new recruit Andre Onana, who has immediately been installed as Erik ten Hag's first-choice shot-stopper. Heaton's injury, however, has brought Henderson back into the reckoning.
Henderson had expected him to return to Forest this summer, either on a permanent deal or for a second loan spell. Forest were keen to wrap up a deal with the Cumbrian-born goalkeeper and were prepared to do a deal worth up to £30million.
Forest have since invested a reported fee of £10m in USA international Matt Turner, who recently joined them from Arsenal. He has started their opening two games and has been handed the No.1 shirt, suggesting he will be Steve Cooper's first-choice pick between the posts, regardless of what happens between now and the window slamming shut on September 1.
But even if Forest do not come back in for Henderson's signature, United, despite currently being light on senior goalkeepers because of Heaton's injury, should be doing all they can to try and offload the former before the bell sounds in just under a fortnight's time. Henderson is not going to be content with spending another season at Old Trafford on the bench, being restricted to the odd cup appearance here and there; he will want to play week-in, week-out, and at the age of 26 that is perfectly understandable.
Furthermore, from United's point of view, he is one of few players who is considered as a sellable asset, certainly among those who could realistically depart before the deadline. Though his recent injury and lengthy spell on the sidelines may have impacted his price tag ever so slightly, he would still command a respectable fee that United could reinvest.
He is 26, which means his best years as a goalkeeper are still to come, is an England international and has played 67 times in the Premier League. Henderson has plenty of traits that are attractive.
The concern United may have about selling him before the end of the window, however, is whether they believe they would have other goalkeeping options available to them. Heaton is expected to miss the rest of this month and Matej Kovar and Nathan Bishop have already been sold this summer.
United, in the event of finding a buyer for Henderson, would be able to recruit a more than capable goalkeeper to join Onana and Heaton in the goalkeepers' union for much less than the fee the former would command. United have signed experienced goalkeepers on either free transfers or loans in recent years and they could not rule out the prospect of repeating that tactic again, nor could they rule out bringing in a goalkeeper for a small fee.
Get United transfer news and updates on WhatsApp!
Our team of Manchester United experts are on top of all the goings-on at Old Trafford for this week and beyond, and you can get the latest team news, injury updates, reaction and analysis along with inside information to your phone by joining our new free WhatsApp community. You can also join the 50,000 (and growing!) band of United fans who are following our WhatsApp Channel.
Sign up to our community here, and join our WhatsApp channel here.
--
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Furthermore, the Reds could source a goalkeeper that may be more accepting of a back-up role and sitting on the bench every week, opposed to expecting to start. After investing big money in Onana, he is going to occupy the No.1 spot for the next few years at least.
Henderson has little chance of dislodging him from his post, meaning United would be wise to cut ties this summer and try and find a buyer, inheriting a respectable transfer fee in the process. It would be a win-win for everyone.
Follow the MEN's United coverage on TikTok and YouTube, and subscribe to the Manchester is Red podcast.
