Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson stated that the past year had been the worst of his career and that he was “fuming” over the lack of playing time he received from the team.
The 25-year-old made three appearances for United last season but was unable to unseat David de Gea as the team’s starting goalkeeper. He then joined newly promoted Nottingham Forest on loan last month.
Henderson made 26 appearances for the club in the 2020–21 season and was called up to the England team for the European Championship in June. Last year, Henderson appeared to be on the verge of being drafted into United’s first team.
He was forced to leave the England team owing to a hip injury, and weeks before the 2021–22 season began, he tested positive for COVID–19, which caused him to have extreme exhaustion.
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However, the English goalkeeper didn’t stop blasting his parent club for their lack of interest in him. As cited by ESPN, he said:
“I turned so many good loans down last summer, and they wouldn’t let me go. It was frustrating. To sit there and waste 12 months is criminal really, at my age. I was fuming. Being a caged animal for the last year, getting out there and actually playing in front of a full St James’ Park as the underdogs is sensational for me.”
However, these comments didn’t go down well with a number of pundits and the fans, who reacted instantly to these claims. As cited by the Sun, pundit James O’Hara said:
“I don’t think he will play for Manchester United again. That’s it now. When you do an interview like that, you come out and slate your parent club. It never goes down well with the fans, with the coaching staff. “
Numerous United players have preferred to remain silent when present at the club, only speaking when they make a move. But this wouldn’t be an ideal way of proving your claims as the on-field performances matter much more than the words that you speak after a poor run of form.
Many channelled his comments as criminal as he was unable to pave a way for himself and instead decided to blame the club. David De Gea has been the undisputed starter for a long time because of his fitness and elite performance.
Henderson’s fitness was always the major stumbling block, and a loan move now will give him a chance to establish himself.
