Nottingham Forest Open Talks With Manchester United Over Dean Henderson

Nottingham Forest have begun discussions with Manchester United over a potential loan move for keeper Dean Henderson. 

The proposed move, as reported by Fabrizio Romano, would see Henderson head to Nottingham Forest on an initial loan.

Forest would then have the option to buy the one-time capped England international for a fee of approximately £20 million. 

Importantly it was also noted by Romano that the move is a possibility that is now being “considered by the player.” 

Henderson, who first joined the Manchester United youth academy back in 2014 aged 14, has struggled to nail down his place as United’s first-choice keeper.

Despite impressing under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the 2020/21 season, Henderson made just three appearances for the Red Devils this season.

All three times Henderson made an appearance would be in cup competitions, one of which saw Henderson subbed off in the Champions League for Tom Heaton with twenty minutes still to play.

As mentioned, Henderson impressed during the 2020/21 season. Averaging 0.9 goals conceded per match in his 13 Premier League games, less than David De Gea has managed over either of his last two seasons in an admittedly greater sample size. 

Henderson also frequented the early knockout matches of that season’s Europa League chase, with United entering the competition after dropping out of the Champions League.

He was however replaced by De Gea for the quarters, semis and the final itself, which United went onto lose on penalties to Villarreal.

After contracting Covid-19 in July of 2021, Henderson reportedly suffered with long Covid, keeping him out of training for some time.

Following this, Henderson failed to ever recapture his place amongst the Manchester United starting XI.

If the move to Forest is to go ahead, it would mark the fifth club United have loaned Henderson to since he signed his first senior contract. Previous loan spells include time at; Stockport County, Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town and Sheffield United.

It was the latter of those four loan spells where Henderson most impressed.

His time at Sheffield United saw him named their Young Player of the Year for both seasons he spent at the club, as well as picking up the EFL Championship Golden Glove in 2018/19.

His sole season in the Premier League with the club in 2019/20 saw him produce the third highest save percentage of any keeper in the league, whilst also claiming the fourth most clean sheets.