Dean Henderson has aimed to become the goalkeeper of choice for club and country this season.
The 23-year-old signed a new five-year contract with Manchester United last week, having impressed during two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.
Not only did his form for the Blades earn him a new contract at Old Trafford, but it also saw him enlisted in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
He will now compete against Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope in an attempt to make his Three Lions debut in upcoming Nations League away games against Iceland and Denmark.
The new Premier League season then kicks off with David De Gea, whose form was criticized towards the end of the 2019-20 season, hampering his number one spot at United.
“Look, the 100% goal is that I play football next season and I don’t think I want to not play after last season, coming out of a good season with momentum,” he said.
“It wouldn’t be smart for me to sit and not play football, I don’t think it would help the parties at all.
“Listen, for me with Man United, David De Gea was obviously a great goalkeeper first and foremost for many years and he was phenomenal.
“This is something I aspire to be, to have a career like him in the club – so I’ll be back on the first day of pre-season to work with socks to get into that starting lineup.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted. I’m so close now, so I’m not giving up – I’m going to put pressure. I respect David. He was a phenomenal servant for the soccer team.
“I feel like a new signing at Man United. I haven’t been there for five years. I have spent a long time away. So I’m not really sure what the vibe is like. “
Henderson admits he is “100% sure” that he cannot establish himself internationally if he stays behind De Gea at United.
Having joined United academy at 14, Henderson – who had also previously spent time on loan at Stockport, Grimsby and Shrewsbury – is yet to make a first-team appearance for the club.
During that time he impressed enough to earn 11 England Under-21 appearances and is now aiming to make his bow for the seniors.
Pickford was Southgate’s first pick for most of his tenure in England, but the Everton goalkeeper was criticized for some of his performances last season.
When asked how to become the first choice with England, Henderson replied: “Obviously I want to play for England and I want to play for Manchester United.
“So I will continue to work hard every single day, overcoming my little challenges, my little goals and I’m sure someday I’ll get to where I want to be.
“I know what I have to do – I have two excellent goalkeepers here with me and we are all challenging the number one jersey and it is obviously something I aspire to be.
“So I’m working hard every single day to do what I can do in class as Gareth’s number one, but I know I have to overtake two very good goalkeepers.”
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