Sheffield United are riding high in the Sky Bet Championship at the moment, yesterday’s 1-0 win at Elland Road allowing them to leap above opponents Leeds United into 2nd place.
At one end of the pitch, it’s a position that has been reliant on the 22 Championship goals of Billy Sharp and 12 also from David McGoldrick. That’s certainly one part of the story.
Yet, the success that is brimming in Chris Wilder’s side also owes a debt of gratitude to actions at the other end of the field – in defence. It is a defensive unit that has kept clean sheets in their last SEVEN games.
A big part of that success is young stopper Dean Henderson, the 22-year-old loanee from Manchester United. The Whitehaven-born youngster joined the Blades from the Red Devils at the start of this season and has featured in all the Blades’ 38 league games this season.
However, as tweeted by Sun reporter Alan Nixon (below), a decision by Manchester United could have a big impact on Sheffield United’s thinking.
MAN U. Want Dean Henderson to play Prem football next season. Loan. So SHEFF U have an extra incentive to go up. Others watching and on alert.
— Alan Nixon (@reluctantnicko) March 17, 2019
It is obvious that Henderson is unlikely in Manchester United’s thinking for a first-team place in the Premier League, especially considering the quality of keepers in front of him in the pecking order at Old Trafford.
However, a loan out to one of the promoted Championship sides would be something that United might be considering as the best option for their young stopper.
Barring that, one of the Premier League strugglers might want to take a punt on him, bearing in mind his displays for the Blades over the 2018/19 Championship campaign so far. In the 38 games he’s played, Henderson has conceded just 34 goals and has kept 16 clean sheets.
As Nixon intimates, others have seen these performances and general efficacy that Henderson has shown, and tabs are certainly being kept.
