Dean Henderson: If I didn't go out on loan, I'd be in League One now

Dean Henderson

thinks he never would have made it to Manchester United's senior squad if he hadn't been loaned out to play in the lower divisions. 

The keeper rose through the English football ranks, from the National League to League Two, League One, and finally the Championship, before being named as

David De Gea

's reserve at

. 

Loans to Stockport County, Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town, and Sheffield United, according to the 25-year-old, were crucial to his growth and the reason he is where he is now.

"I remember going [to Stockport] when I was a young kid, " he told Manchester United's 

. 

"To be fair, I absolutely loved it. It was tough, really hard, as a young boy. Going into that division was an eye-opener for me. I’m thankful for the opportunity given to me by the manager at the time, Jim Gannon, for sticking by me because I didn’t play too well.

"I was really getting smashed on crosses, kicking the ball 80 yards on to the striker’s head and, if I didn’t do so, the manager was screaming at me from the touchline. It stood me in good stead and I really appreciate the opportunity they gave me.

“I think my debut, in the first five minutes, their big striker said: ‘Stick it on the goalie, he’s pooping himself’. I thought: ‘Right mate, I’m coming for this’. So I made my mind up I was coming for it and, before I even got there, he flicked it over my head. These are the things you learn and move on. It was great for me.

“It's why I'm sitting here today. If I didn't [go out on loan], I'd probably be in League One now, just going out on my first loan. I fought for it and I stand by it, the best decision of my life."

Henderson made his senior debut for the Red Devils in September 2020, and he went on to participate in 13

games that season. 

He hasn't played in the English Premier League this season, although he has appeared in the

, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup once apiece.

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