Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is not seen as a ‘future number one’ by the club’s hierarchy, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The 25-year-old has been unable to cement himself in the Red Devils’ starting XI in recent years and is currently embarking on a season-long loan at Nottingham Forest.
What is the latest news involving Man Utd?
Who will be United’s first-choice shot-stopper under Erik ten Hag in the long-term is currently up in the air due to David de Gea’s contract situation and his ability with the ball at his feet.
The Spaniard, who was left out of his country's World Cup squad, has entered the final 10 months of his £375,000-per-week contract, although United have the option to extend his stay by a further year.
Ten Hag has previously admitted that De Gea got off to a bad start under his tutelage against Brighton and Brentford but that he has brought ‘stability’ between the sticks since then.
And The Athletic have revealed that the 31-year-old is willing to accept an offer on reduced terms to remain at Old Trafford.
However, United are said to be monitoring the progress of Porto’s Diogo Costa and Athletic Bilbao’s Unai Simon closely ahead of potential moves, two keepers who excel when in possession.
What has Jones said about Henderson?
Jones is not ‘wholly convinced’ that United will sign Costa, but he doesn’t reckon Henderson, who earns £100,000-per-week, is viewed as De Gea’s natural heir either.
In an interview with GiveMeSport, he said: “I think it's become pretty clear for a while that they don't necessarily see Henderson as a future number one at the club, and they've got an eye on Costa.
“But I'm not wholly convinced that they’ll actually sign him. I think the situation is all going to depend on what happens with David De Gea and his next contract.”
Has Henderson been harshly treated?
Henderson claimed that he was promised a place in the starting line-up ahead of last season and that it was ‘criminal’ he spent the majority of the campaign sitting on the bench.
"I turned so many good loans down last summer for that reason [being promised No.1 spot], and they wouldn't let me go. It was frustrating,” said the England international. "To sit there and waste 12 months is criminal really, at my age. I was fuming."
Yet in truth, Henderson rarely convinced in a United shirt and high-profile mistakes against Liverpool and AC Milan undermined his bid to become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.