Dean Henderson

Manchester United

Henderson joined the Manchester United academy aged 14, having spent six years at Carlisle United. He first joined the academy in August 2011. After progressing through the academy, Henderson was among 10 players to join the academy squad for the 2013–14 season. He became a regular goalkeeper for the U18 team in the 2013–14 season. In the 2014–15 season, Henderson continued to impress as a regular goalkeeper for the U18 team, as he made 25 appearances but sustained an injury towards the end of the season. Nevertheless, he was among nominees for the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year award but lost out to Axel Tuanzebe. In August 2015, Henderson signed his first professional contract with the club.

2016: Loan to Stockport County

On 12 January 2016, he was loaned to National League North club Stockport County on an initial one-month loan. He made his Stockport County debut, where he played the whole game, in a 1–1 draw against Nuneaton Town on 16 January 2016. On 22 February 2016, due to an injury crisis, Henderson was recalled from loan and had his first call-up to a senior Manchester United game, sitting on the bench during a 3–0 FA Cup victory away to Shrewsbury Town. Henderson then returned to Stockport County to complete his loan spell. His first game after signing for the club for the second time was a 2–0 loss against North Ferriby United on 26 March 2016. He went on to make nine appearances for Stockport County and kept three…

Youth teams

Henderson played youth international football for England at under-16, under-17, under-20 and under-21 levels. In late-August 2016, Henderson was called up by the England under-20 team for the first time. He made his under-20 debut in a 1–1 draw against Brazil on 1 September 2016. In May 2017, he was selected in the England under-20 squad for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He made one appearance at the tournament, in a group stage match against Guinea, and was an unused substitute during England's victory against Venezuela in the final. After the match, Henderson described this an "unbelievable feeling". In August 2017, Henderson was called up by the under-21 team for the first time and was an unused substitute against Latvia. He made his under-21 debut on 24 March 2018, in a friendly at home against Romania, which England won 2–1. Henderson was named as England's number one for the 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Senior team

On 8 October 2019, Henderson was called up to the senior England squad for the first time by manager Gareth Southgate as a replacement for the injured Tom Heaton. He made his debut on 12 November 2020, when he came on at half-time to replace Nick Pope in a 3–0 win over the Republic of Ireland in a friendly. Henderson was named as a member of England's 26-man squad for the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 and was allocated the number 13 shirt. However, he withdrew due to a hip injury after the first game and was replaced by…

Henderson is known for his distribution with both his hands and feet as a goalkeeper, as well as his ability to claim crosses or to catch and punch high balls, with Rob Dawson of ESPN describing him as "more complete" than his teammate David de Gea in 2021. Mark Critchley of The Independent has also described him as a "vocal presence" in goal. He is also known for his reflexes.

Henderson was born in Whitehaven, Cumbria. He played county cricket as a schoolboy and was an accomplished batsman and wicket-keeper but chose football. Henderson initially started out as an outfield player before switching to his role as a goalkeeper. During his time at Shrewsbury Town, Henderson shaved off all of his hair in support of Hope House children's hospice. On 27 May 2019, Henderson achieved two Guinness World Records titles for 'Fastest time to dress as a goalkeeper (football)' (49.51 seconds) and 'Most football headed passes in one minute (team of two)' (91 – with Jake Clarke-Salter).