Man Utd star expected back from injury sooner than expected as update provided

Manchester United’s on-loan goalkeeper Dean Henderson is expected to return from injury sooner than expected.

The 25-year-old, who is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, suffered a grade two tear in his thigh during the club’s 2-0 win over Leicester City earlier this month.

Forest manager Steve Cooper subsequently confirmed that the 25-year-old was set to be sidelined for around “four to five weeks”.

The injury has come as a blow to the Reds, with Henderson having become an integral part of the first team. Indeed, Forest are considering their options in January, with Cooper having admitted a replacement for Henderson could be signed.

Nevertheless, it appears Henderson will return to the starting XI earlier than expected.

Cooper on Henderson's injury

Cooper admitted that Henderson could return sooner than the five weeks previously anticipated.

However, the Forest boss admitted the club could still dip into the market for another shot-stopper.

When asked about the possibility of signing a new keeper Cooper said on Monday: “It’s still something we’re thinking about.

“We actually thought Dean’s injury might have been initially a lot longer than what it’s actually going to be.

“He couldn’t have played in the semi-finals anyway, and unfortunately we were knocked out of the FA Cup, so there’s a bit of a break in Premier League football. We’re weighing all of that up and seeing whether it’s right to go with what we’ve got.

“Wayne [Hennessey] played against Bournemouth at the weekend. We’ll see if we want to keep with that or whether we’re going to make a change. But we haven’t decided yet. And if we do, it’s got to be right.

“Dean hasn’t had loads of injuries, certainly muscle injuries, in his career and he’s still fairly young. Sometimes you have to see how players recover from injuries; some can recover a lot quicker than others.

“If he does great, if he doesn’t, then we will deal with it as it comes.”

Henderson is under contract at United until 2025, though it is uncertain whether he has a future at the Old Trafford club.

United are negotiating a new deal with current No.1 David De Gea and Henderson wants regular starts at this stage of his career.

Topics: Dean Henderson, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Injury

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.