Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has given Dean Henderson a huge vote of confidence ahead of the European Championships.
Selected alongside Jordan Pickford and Sam Johnstone by Gareth Southgate for Euro 2020, Henderson made his mark in the Manchester United first-team this season.
Although it appeared that David De Gea had perhaps reclaimed his spot by season's end, the 24-year-old English 'keeper nevertheless racked up 26 appearances for United.
Having come through the club's academy and made a name for himself during two seasons out on loan at Sheffield United, Jose Mourinho has now singled him out for praise too.
England goalkeeper Dean Henderson warms up on the pitch prior to the beginning of the UEFA Nations League Group 2, League A match at Parken Stadium, Copenhagen | PA ImagesSpeaking to The Times, Jose Mourinho was offering forth his thoughts on Southgate's England team when talked turned toward the goalkeepers.
Conceding that it may be the one area of the pitch where England are lacking players of the highest quality, the current Roma manager stressed that in Henderson the potential for such a player existed.
"I think they are good goalkeepers," he noted of Pickford, Johnstone and Henderson. "I don’t think they are phenomenal goalkeepers or, in Dean Henderson’s case, not yet phenomenal.
"When I say not yet, I say he will be. I met him at [Manchester] United when he was a kid and I always remember him asking me to go on loan.
"He was saying when I come back, I come back to be the No 1. He told me that when he was the fourth choice.
"He is a kid with an incredible self confidence and I think he is ready."
It remains to be seen what action Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will take with regard to United's goalkeeping situation next season.
While Lee Grant is reportedly in talks about a new deal, Sergio Romero departed the club earlier this week as his contract expired.
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