Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson says he hopes his loan switch to the Blades will help his cause towards becoming England’s No.1.
The stopper is on loan for the season from Manchester United, and is highly rated at Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old has never made an appearance at United, but has spent time on loan at Stockport, Grimsby and most recently Shrewsbury whom he helped finish 3rd in League Two last season.
Henderson did start his youth career at Carlisle before making his switch to United, and having watched former Carlisle United loan man Jordan Pickford star for England at the World Cup, the stopper hopes he can begin to show why he should be between the sticks for his country in four years time.
“This will help me massively to go forward, playing on a bigger stage in front of bigger crowds, building my profile and, hopefully, have a chance to get my first senior call,” said Henderson.
“Angus Gunn [the then-Man City keeper who was on loan at Norwich] got a call-up from the Championship last season. I’ll have to prove it but don’t see why I can’t.
“It fills me with so much confidence and makes me think the position is possible for me.
“I’m not silly and know he’s got games behind him and a good World Cup.
“But in four years there’s no reason why I can’t challenge for the England No.1 shirt for the next 10 to 15 years with the ability and confidence I have.
“This is the first time I’ve probably let it out but I’ve no problem with that because I believe I’m going to go and back it up.
“If you back yourself, you have to go out and show it.
“I genuinely believe, if I reach my potential, I’ve the best chance to be England and Manchester United’s No1. To do that, I have to play as many games as possible.
“People might like to sit with the Manchester United shirt on, play once every couple of weeks in the Under-23s, travel around with the first-team but, actually, it’s irrelevant because they’re never going to play regular football.
“You need to go out there, get your shirt dirty.”
[Quotes sourced via whitehavennews]