Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson urged to join Ajax on loan to seal England World Cup spot as Dutch giants ‘express interest’

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been urged to seal a move to Ajax, who are keen to sign him on loan.

Ajax have reportedly expressed their interest in signing the Red Devils man on a short-term deal in January.

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According to the , talks were held between the Eredivisie club and United when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was in charge.

The England goalkeeper has only registered a single appearance in all competitions before tonight's Champions League dead rubber with Young Boys, although he did struggle with COVID-19 for a prolonged period.

Nevertheless, Henderson has been unable to displace United's no.1 goalkeeper David de Gea.

A potential loan move to Ajax will give him the chance to play regular first-team football.

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And ex-England international Sinclair believes that Henderson should take the opportunity to join Ajax with both gloves.

“Who wouldn’t turn a loan move down to Ajax - fantastic football club, lots of history, lots of heritage, great opportunities," Sinclair said.

"If that is the case that Ajax are interested, I’d be very surprised if he wanted to turn that down because he’s already proven that he wants to play football. That’s why he came back to Man United.

“He didn’t realise David de Gea was going to find his form again, take himself seriously and give it a good account of himself. All of a sudden, he’s second fiddle again. 

“We’ve seen goalkeepers who are happy to take that second fiddle role. I don’t think he is that person.

"I think he wants to be the main man and if he wants to be the main man, he is not going to do it at Manchester United with the current circumstances because David de Gea is playing too well."

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Meanwhile, Simon Jordan agrees that Henderson should consider his short-term future at United.

"I think Dean Henderson is in a slightly tricky position because if they continue with David [de Gea], where does it leave him?" said Jordan.

"Obviously, you go into this season and you’re thinking that the team that gets picked up for Qatar will be based upon this season. 

“There is a significant proportion of the 2022/23 season that people start with good form and still push their way into a team that is going to the World Cup in November.

"All isn’t lost but Henderson, I don’t suspect he came to Man United any more than [Aaron] Ramsdale going to Arsenal to be second fiddle to Bernd Leno. I don’t suppose Henderson is the same."

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Henderson has set his sights on being part of Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad for England in Qatar next year.

And Sinclair believes the loan move to Ajax will increase his chances.

He added: “The fact that he is not playing now and getting the odd game here and there. I think it will affect him because if you are looking at Qatar next year and you’re looking to be involved in that squad, first you got to be playing football I feel because the competition is going to be harsh. 

“I think you got to be playing football so for me, these rumours that Ajax are interested in him and I feel if he is really serious about wanting to play in that World Cup squad or wanting to be in that World Cup squad," said the 48-year-old.

“And if he does go in that squad and one of the other keepers is injured and gets the opportunity, he doesn’t want to go in there cold, not match fit and not used to playing so I feel he needs to play and I think he will be a great shout to go to Ajax.

"They play from the backline like Gareth [Southgate] likes to play with the England squad and I think it will be a great place for him to showcase what he’s got and just get that consistency in playing again.”