Dean Henderson has been a vital part of Sheffield United’s ascent up the Championship table since his arrival from Manchester United on loan.

The United stopper is at Bramall Lane for the season and has kept five clean sheets so far this term from his 20 appearances.

With a quarter of games a shutout for the keeper, he is impressing in Yorkshire and is gaining valuable first-team experience while away from Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

Chris Wilder has failed to have a steady number one over recent years with two loan keepers being the leading men between the sticks since their promotion from League One.

A time will come when loans are no longer a viable option for a first-choice goalkeeper, and a permanent move will need to be made to acquire the services of one on a longer term.

With the January transfer window soon to be open, and Henderson impressing, now could be the time for Wilder to look to make the move permanent.

And if he was to do that, here are three reasons why Henderson should snub Old Trafford future in favour of Sheffield United.

The first and most obvious reason would be first-team football.

Despite David De Gea being out of contract in the summer, should he sign a new deal or depart - with a new keeper potentially arriving - Dean Henderson’s future at Manchester United looks to be pretty bleak.

You would imagine U23s football and more loans away from the club would be on the cards.

Youngsters at Chelsea while under Jose Mourinho never got a chance, and they will be the case for Henderson, too.

The Manchester United boss is known for wanting to sign players who can affect now, not develop and be top-class in three to five years.

He buys ready-made elite players ahead of nurturing talent.

All the while Mourinho is at the helm of Old Trafford, Dean Henderson’s chances of breaking into the first team are nye on impossible.

And a permanent move to Sheffield United would be the logical move.

To develop young players, they need game time, in a specialist position like a goalkeeper, that need is even more important.

The 21-year-old is getting the relevant game time at Bramall Lane and is the first-choice between the sticks for Chris Wilder.

If a return to Old Trafford was forthcoming, first-team football would not be.

And with Jose Mourinho in charge, that option looks even less likely.

For the sake of his development and the longevity of his career, a move away from Manchester United to play games regularly and consistently for many years to come, a permanent switch to Sheffield United would be ideal.