Sheffield United struck Man United transfer gold - They'd surely love him back | OneFootball

Dean Henderson spent two separate loan spells with Sheffield United and became a fan favourite with the Blades

Dean Henderson spent two separate spells as a Sheffield United player on loan from Manchester United, and his performances between the sticks at Bramall Lane saw him become a firm fan favourite.

Having spent over six years in the youth system of Carlisle United, Henderson joined Man United's academy in 2011 at the age of 14 and progressed his way through the ranks into the first team.

The Englishman, who has represented his nation at almost every youth level, including senior level, would head out on a series of loan spells in the EFL before truly making a name for himself, linking up with the likes of Stockport County, Grimsby Town, and Shrewsbury Town.

With the latter, Henderson would make 48 appearances across all competitions, keeping 19 clean sheets as Salop reached both the EFL Cup final and the League One play-off final, each of which ultimately ended in defeat, but the goalkeeper shone nonetheless.

Having impressed in League One, Henderson caught the eyes of clubs in the EFL Championship who were interested in taking the youngster on loan, but it would be Chris Wilder's Sheffield United who struck a deal with the Red Devils to bring the Englishman to South Yorkshire for the season, in what would be a memorable stint.

Dean Henderson would earn promotion with Sheffield United in his first loan spell and star in the Premier League for the Blades in his second

Henderson would join Sheffield United on loan in June 2018, having extended his stay with Man United just prior to the switch, and would instantly become the club's first-choice keeper, succeeding both Jamal Blackman and Simon Moore to the position.

Upon his arrival, manager Wilder said, "This is a big one for us. Dean was certainly a target for rival clubs in our division.

"Dean is a confident boy, who has proved himself wherever he has been. He had a fantastic season for Shrewsbury, playing a starring role in what they achieved last year."

The future England international's first two games would end in defeat to Swansea City and Middlesbrough, conceding five goals in the process, but this wouldn't shake his confidence, as he would then help the Blades to win four consecutive games on the bounce after.

Henderson would continue to retain his place as the club's number one choice between the sticks, which paid dividends for Wilder and Sheffield United, with the Blades earning promotion to the Premier League for the first time since 2007.

The goalkeeper would be awarded the club's Young Player of the Year Award, as well as the Championship Golden Glove, having kept 20 clean sheets across the campaign, and although he would return to Old Trafford at the end of the season, Henderson and Sheffield United were not done with each other just yet.

Henderson would once again extend his deal with Man United upon his return to Old Trafford, but would once again head out on loan with Sheffield United for the season, this time to the Premier League, with Wilder saying he was "always our number one target."

He would make his top-flight debut in the Blades' 1-1 draw away to Bournemouth on the opening day and would continue to retain his place and hold his own in the top flight, having steadily climbed the divisions in the preceding years.

Henderson would miss just two Premier League matches all season as the Blades finished 9th in their first season back in the top flight, with their 1-0 victory against Norwich City being a particular highlight for Henderson, making an incredible triple save to earn Sheffield United all three points.

Sheffield United fans would heap praise on Henderson, saying they "need to break the bank to keep him." Indeed, upon his return to Manchester again at the end of the season, they would have had to break the bank for him, with the Englishman signing a new deal with the Red Devils and being added to their squad list for the first time.

Dean Henderson has gone on to establish himself as a Premier League regular - Sheffield United could only dream of having him back

Henderson would act as backup to David de Gea during the 2020/21 season, making 26 appearances in all competitions that campaign, but his next one would be one to forget.

The Englishman would fail to make a top-flight appearance across the 2021/22 campaign, which angered him to the point where he refused to play for incoming manager Erik ten Hag, with Henderson saying, "to sit there and waste 12 months is criminal really, at my age. I was fuming."

Henderson, 28, joined Nottingham Forest on loan the following season and would instantly be the club's number one choice in net, but he would tear his thigh muscle during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign, cutting his time at the City Ground short.

He would then join Crystal Palace in August 2023 for a reported £15 million, signing a five-year deal in South London. He would compete with Sam Johnstone for the number one spot in his first campaign, but following Johnstone's departure to Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of the season, Henderson made the number one spot his own.

The goalkeeper played every single minute in the Premier League last campaign, and played a crucial role in the Eagles' FA Cup success over Manchester City, saving a penalty from Omar Marmoush on the way to Palace's first-ever taste of silverware.

Sheffield United will be watching Henderson's success, wishing they had him back between the sticks, and although Michael Cooper has proven to be a decent shot-stopper at Championship level, he has yet to hit the heights Henderson did during his two-year stay in South Yorkshire.