Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson wants to leave if he can't reclaim No 1 spot

Henderson has been omitted from the England squad for the third time in a row since pulling out of Euro 2020 in June due to a hip problem.

Source: Football 365, David Degea and Dean Henderson 

The 24-year-old goalkeeper tested positive for Covid in July and missed pre-season after taking longer than expected to recover from the after-effects of the virus.

De Gea has seized the opportunity to re-establish himself as first-choice following a two-way battle with Henderson last season.

Source: Football 365, Dean Henderson and David Degea

The goalkeeping situation at Old Trafford has been further complicated by Tom Heaton returning to United from Aston Villa to provide even greater competition.

Henderson would prefer to stay at United but fears his career is in danger of stagnating after making just one appearance this term, in the Carabao Cup defeat by West Ham in September.

He has made no secret of his desire to be No 1 for United and England and wants to give himself the best possible chance of being in Gareth Southgate’s squad for next year’s World Cup.

Henderson still has four and a half years left on the £120,000-a-week contract he signed in August last year.

He would consider leaving in January — Newcastle are understood to be one of the options — but United are unlikely to allow him to depart mid-season.

Although De Gea has been one of the club’s best players this campaign, United are mindful that the Spaniard could suffer an injury or another loss of form, having conceded soft goals against Atalanta and Manchester City this month.

Donny van de Beek and Phil Jones are also likely to seek moves away in January.

United want to resolve the futures of Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard but it appears both will leave as free agents next summer.