Ralf opens up on Henderson conversation

With David De Gea enjoying another stellar campaign between the sticks, having won each of our last two Player of the Month awards, the 24-year-old has been limited to two appearances so far in 2021/22 after struggling with injury and a COVID-19 absence in the summer.

His first outing came during the 1-0 defeat to West Ham United in the Carabao Cup in September, while Dean also played 68 minutes against Young Boys last month, before departing as Tom Heaton was given his long-awaited Reds debut.

Rangnick said he is happy to have a trio of experienced stoppers in his squad with the qualities De Gea, Henderson and Heaton have to offer and that it's important to have cover, with United still fighting on three fronts.

However, the German added that he sympathised with Henderson’s desire to get more top-flight minutes – Dean played 36 Premier League games while on loan at Sheffield United in 2019/20 and added a further 13 appearances in the division for the Reds last term.

“Well, I told him that I would like him to stay because he's a fantastic goalkeeper,” Ralf replied after being asked whether Dean had requested a loan move in January.

“In training yesterday, he had another couple of fantastic saves. I really like to have him on board, as one of three top goalkeepers.

“I can fully understand that he wants to play because he's in an age where as a goalkeeper he should regularly play.

“On the other hand, we are still in three competitions, we need the three goalkeepers we have right now.

“I told him that but I can also on the other hand understand his desire to get game time elsewhere in the Premier League.”