Henderson reflects on nightmare Stockport debut ahead of possible England bow

Just under five years ago, an 18-year-old Dean Henderson made his debut for Stockport County.

On a cold January day, Nuneaton Borough were the visitors for a National League North game.

“I remember there’s a big guy, first minute, saying ‘put it on the keeper, he’s, er pooing himself’. I thought ‘oh God’,” says Henderson. “It’s come in, I’ve gone for the cross, completely missed it, and it went in the goal.

“I wanted to be swallowed up at the time but I had to dust myself off and get on with it.”

Henderson has certainly got on with it.

Having joined Manchester United ’s academy at the age of 14, he has had loan spells at Stockport, Grimsby and Shrewsbury before a sparkling two-year stint with Sheffield United earned him a new, lucrative five-year deal at Old Trafford.

And while there has never been a top-class goalkeeper short of confidence, few 23-year-olds come across as self-assured as Henderson.

“For any young goalkeeper it’s 80% mental,” he explains.

“I know it sounds weird but going out and having to prove yourself the long way around, through the leagues, then you’ve got to have a bit of an edge. I believe I’ve got that edge.

“It sets me in good stead and it works for me. It doesn’t work for everyone but I’m happy with who I am.”

And while David de Gea has established himself as a modern-day Manchester United great after almost a decade at the club, it is clear Henderson believes he will force himself ahead of the Spaniard.

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“David has been a great goalkeeper for many years,” Henderson says.

“He’s been phenomenal and that’s something I aspire to be, to have a career like his at the club.

“It’s down to me but I’m under no illusions that I’m going to improve just sat on the bench. I need that game-time. I know what challenges are ahead and I’m well up for it. I feel like a new signing at Man United.”

Henderson’s appetite for the challenge has been whetted by those two seasons under the no-nonsense management of Chris Wilder.

It is fair to say it has made a man out of a raw young keeper.

Henderson explains: “Chris was a great manager, rough and ready just what I needed. He put me in line when I needed to be put in line but really strongly believed in me, which is something I loved about him.

“He made me feel 10ft tall. A lot of the boys said that … real men turn up to big events and that was the saying when we went out just before the games.

“That’s something I model myself on. Don’t go hiding. Always there. Never shy away from criticism, just try my best as much as I can.

“I’m ready for any challenge thrown my way.”

Henderson has two immediate, formidable challenges ahead – prove himself a better option than Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope for his country and a better option than De Gea for his club.

He is clearly relishing both.

“Obviously I want to play for England and I want to play for Manchester United,” Henderson says.

“I’m just going to keep working hard every single day, overcoming my little challenges, setting my little goals and I’m sure one day I’ll get to where I want to be.”

And it will be a long way from Stockport on a chilly winter’s afternoon.