Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has claimed that Dean Henderson wants to stay at the club amid reported interest from Bournemouth.
Reports over the weekend revealed that the Championship club were among a number of sides keen on signing the goalkeeper on loan ahead of the January window, with the 23-year-old said to be interested in a temporary move away from Old Trafford.
It is understood that Leeds United and Brighton are also contenders to sign the England international, who was handed his first cap by Gareth Southgate recently.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News ahead of his side's Champions League tie in midweek, Solskjaer addressed Henderson's future following the recent media attention.
He said: "Dean wants to stay at Man United and play for Man United. I can’t see the logic in only one more appearance before Christmas. Do you know how many games we have? He is training well, he has potential to be one of the best. I don’t buy the argument it is make or break from him (tomorrow).”
Having impressed on loan at Sheffield United last season, Henderson has been forced to play second fiddle to David De Gea at United this term – making a total of three appearances so far.
Asmir Begovic has been Bournemouth's first-choice shot-stopper this term, starting the Cherries' last 11 games, and helping Jason Tindall's men climb to second as things stand.
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The Verdict
Solskjaer's update on the situation suggests that Henderson wants to remain at Old Trafford if possible but things could well change in six weeks or so if he continues to see limited opportunities.
Even if it does, it seems very, very unlikely that the 23-year-old would want to drop down to the Championship, particularly with Premier League club's seemingly interested.
The England keeper was outstanding last term and would be a sensational addition for Bournemouth, even though it's not a position of particular weakness for them at the moment, but fans of the South Coast clubs should temper their expectations because it's hard to see a move materialising.