Man Utd make decision on Dean Henderson after claim of 'weakening' Sheffield United

Manchester United are reportedly set to allow Dean Henderson to see out the rest of the season at Sheffield United, despite his loan spell running out in June.

The terms of the season-long deal were drawn up at the beginning of the 2019/20 campaign, when the delays and disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic were unforeseen.

That had led to speculation that the Old Trafford club could decide to recall Henderson for the final few weeks of a season that will now finish in July or August, thereby removing one of the Blades' best players as Chris Wilder's side bid to finish in a European qualification place.

Sheffield United have spent the season's hiatus in seventh place, two points behind Manchester United in fifth but with a game in hand.

Fifth place could ultimately be enough to earn a place in next season's Champions League depending on the outcome of Manchester City's appeal against their European ban for the next two campaigns.

But The Telegraph claim that any temptation in Manchester to take Henderson out of the Sheffield United goal won't be acted upon, with the Blades said to be confident of a "positive outcome" over talks to ensure the goalkeeper stays with them.

United's former goalkeeping coach Eric Steele recently claimed that Henderson will expect to challenge David de Gea for the No.1 shirt at Old Trafford next season.

“Knowing Dean Henderson as I do, he will expect to walk into that Old Trafford dressing room and make the No.1 jersey his own, now," Steele told the i.

“I signed him at 14 and stayed close to him – he has a great attitude. David will have known there was always going to be a young pretender to come and challenge him and that is what Dean will do."