"He’s so confident in himself" - Sam Allardyce believes player who left Manchester United has become 'best' in his position in the PL

Sam Allardyce believes former Manchester United star Dean Henderson has become the best goalkeeper in the Premier League. He heaped praise on the Englishman for his performances for Crystal Palace.

Henderson came through Manchester United's academy but made just 29 senior appearances for them, keeping 13 clean sheets. He went on numerous loan stints before joining Crystal Palace permanently in the summer of 2023. He's been a key player for them, keeping 30 clean sheets in 83 games.

On the recent episode of the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Sam Allardyce shared his Premier League Team of the Season so far. In the goalkeeping position, he picked Henderson, saying:

“But this lad who I think is the best goalie, he proved it all last year and this year. And he doesn’t have to do as much because they’re doing so well at the top end of the league now, and that’s Dean Henderson at Crystal Palace.

“I’ve got to pick the right word. He’s so confident in himself. I mean, he believes when somebody’s got a penalty, he’s going to save it. You can see it like, he’s bordering on a bit arrogant, but he’s like so confident.”

Henderson has kept six clean sheets in 12 Premier League games this season, with only David Raya of Arsenal having more with seven.

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Journalist provides update on Dean Henderson's potential return to Manchester United

The Sun journalist Samuel Luckhurst shared his thoughts on Dean Henderson's potential return to Manchester United in September this year. He labeled it a 'travesty' that the club didn't give the Englishman many opportunities, laying the blame on former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær. He also said that Henderson has vowed never to return to Old Trafford.

Luckhurst wrote:

"Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is to blame for that after he reneged on a pre-season pledge to install Henderson as No1 in 2021... Henderson has told confidants he would never return to United."

"If they did come calling, with the promise of a salary hike and a bigger platform to challenge Pickford for the England spot, one suspects Henderson’s head would be turned," he added.

Manchester United have struggled in the goalkeeping department in recent years. They signed Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir in 2023, but both have put in disappointing performances. They sent Onana on loan to Trabzonspor this summer and signed Senne Lammens. The Belgian has impressed in his six games for United, keeping one clean sheet.