A former Manchester United star avoided his ex-boss believing his desire for a transfer would be blocked
Dean Henderson came through the ranks at Manchester United(Image: 2017 Manchester United FC)
Dean Henderson’s belief that he wouldn’t be allowed to leave Manchester United caused him to avoid Erik ten Hag at all costs.
The Crystal Palace goalkeeper joined United’s academy in 2011 at the age of 14 and departed in his 2023 move to the Eagles. Henderson, 28, enjoyed his breakthrough season at Old Trafford in the 2020/21 campaign, where he made 26 appearances across all competitions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, he made just three appearances the following season as United went through three managers, with Solskjaer being sacked then Michael Carrick being given the caretaker role before the interim appointment of Ralf Rangnick.
After joining Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan for the 2022/23 campaign, Henderson opened up about the troubling season he had at United, accusing the club of false promises.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Henderson said: “To be quite honest with you, it’s probably been the toughest 12 months of my career. It’s been tough, it’s been hard and I’m so happy I’ve come out the other end of it now.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
“The conversation I had, coming out of the Euros squad [with England], was that you’re coming back here [to United] to be the No 1 goalkeeper. I got Covid, then unfortunately no-one followed through with anything they told me.”
He admitted the situation was “criminal” as he rejected temporary moves in order to become the number one goalkeeper at the club. He added: “It’s frustrating as well, because I turned so many good loans down last summer for that reason and they wouldn’t let me go. To sit there and waste 12 months is criminal, really, at my age. I was fuming.”
Henderson has proved his worth at Palace(Image: Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Prior to his move to the City Ground, Henderson made a point not to talk to or train under Ten Hag, who was appointed United boss in the summer of 2022, in order to force a move out of Manchester.
The England stopper explained: “No. I didn’t want him to see me in training. Because I knew that he probably wanted to keep me. So I told the hierarchy that I need to play football, I don’t want to be here and play second fiddle.”
FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page
Since leaving United, he’s become an FA Cup-winning goalkeeper and Palace captain following the sale of Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January. Despite the controversy he endured with his former club, he admitted after leaving it had been a “dream come true” to have represented the Red Devils.
He said to MUTV: “It’s a dream come true to have pulled on the shirt and played at Old Trafford, in European competitions, in FA Cups, Carabaos and, most importantly, the Premier League. That was something I really wanted to do from a young age. It’ll be sad to leave.”
Henderson will now captain his current side in their away trip to Old Trafford on Sunday as Palace look to earn back-to-back league wins for the first time since December.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£49
£35
Sky
Get Sky Sports here
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
