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What Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Dean Henderson about replacing David de Gea at Man Utd
DEAN HENDERSON has been told he still has a chance of becoming No 1 at Manchester United despite being sent for a second spell on loan at Sheffield United.
Man United: David De Gea joins squad for training session
Henderson signed a new contract at United on Friday shortly before rejoining the Blades after helping them to win promotion from the Championship last season.
He was expected to push De Gea for his starting spot at Old Trafford with the Spaniard stalling on the offer of a new contract himself.
However, De Gea is close to agreeing terms on a new deal that would see him become one of United’s top earners and he could even be handed the captaincy next term.
But Henderson says manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has assured him he is in his long-term plans and the 22-year-old is hoping to impress for the Premier League newcomers.
"He’s just told me to keep progressing and doing what you’re doing, and there’s no reason why you can’t make a breakthrough one day," he said when asked about a parting message from Solskjaer.
"I can only focus on myself and not look at any external things that are going on around me.
“At the end of the day, I can only affect what happens in my career.
"I’m just going to keep working hard - day in, day out - to be the best version of myself and be the best goalkeeper I can be."
Henderson has been touted as a future United No 1 and was being considered as a potential successor to De Gea.
As it stands, De Gea, 28, is about to enter the final year of his contract but is set to put pen-to-paper on a new deal worth around £375,000 per week.
Meanwhile, Sheffield United also confirmed on Friday the signing of midfielder Ben Osborn from Nottingham Forest.
Osborn, 24, has signed a three-year contract at Bramall Lane and Blades manager Chris Wilder said he was delighted to bring him to the club.
“He's been a fantastic player for Forest in the Championship,” he said.
“And I know for certain that two or three clubs in January were sniffing around to take him.”
On Henderson, he added the keeper was "always our number one target".