OLE: HENDERSON DEAL LIKELY TO BE EXTENDED

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Dean Henderson’s loan deal with Sheffield United is likely to be extended until the end of the season.

The goalkeeper, who is ineligible for Wednesday’s clash due to Premier League regulations around playing against parent clubs, was due to return to Old Trafford in July after his spell at Bramall Lane concluded.

However, the arrangement is now set to last until the end of the prolonged 2019/20 campaign, which will run until the final weekend in July.

The Blades, like United, are also through to the last eight of the Emirates FA Cup, where they face a home tie against Arsenal this weekend.

“I think so,” replied Ole when asked by reporters if Henderson would be staying with Sheffield United.

“[The delay is] due to admin and the paperwork. Hopefully they’ll settle that. Dean’s had a fantastic year, as he did last year at Sheffield United.

“So far, he’s proven that the loans have worked out as we wanted.”

Henderson has received plaudits for his performances for the Blades in their first season back in the Premier League, with his joint-league-high 11 clean sheets helping the Yorkshire club to seventh in the table, just two points behind United in fifth.

The 23-year-old was called up to the senior England set-up for the first time last October, and Ole added that if Dean continues the development he's shown over the past two campaigns at Bramall Lane, he could go on to occupy the no.1 jersey for both club and country.

“It’s a different job to be playing for Sheffield United than Man United. He’s got different roles. The two years he’s had have been fantastic for his development,” Solskjaer continued.

“He’s played with men, he’s had to play against men. He’s played in the Championship and has now played behind a team that plays fantastic football.

“As the stats show, he’s been worthy of quite a few points. He’s learning all the time and he’s a passionate keeper. He wants to be the best and has good coaching there.

“I’ve said it before, I think he’ll one day be England and United no.1. It’s up to him to keep developing.”