Newcastle intensify Dean Henderson interest with Man Utd goalkeeper ready for lifeline

Newcastle have intensified their interest in Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Toon sources say boss Eddie Howe, who wanted Henderson on loan in January, sees the £20million-rated England international as the ideal successor to Newcastle No1 Martin Dubravka. Henderson, 25, is understood to be ready to seek a move unless incoming Old Trafford boss Erik Ten Hag guarantees that he will become the Red Devils’ first-choice keeper ahead of David de Gea.

Two impressive loans spells with Sheffield United in 2018-19 – when he helped the Blades win promotion to the Premier League – and the following season, led to Henderson earning his solitary England cap on his return to United. The Cumbrian came on at half-time in the 3-0 friendly win over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley in November 2020.

But a hip injury forced Henderson to withdraw from England’s Euro 2020 squad only one game into last summer’s tournament. Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder, in charge at Sheffield United in Henderson’s time at Bramall Lane, has enquired about Newcastle’s second-choice keeper Karl Darlow, 31.

Henderson has endured one of the most difficult seasons of his career in a campaign that has been littered with injuries curtailing his development. The England international was tipped to dislodge David de Gea as United's number one this season but it has not materialised as planned.

Given De Gea's stellar form for the majority of this season, it is unlikely the Spaniard loses his status as United's first-choice goalkeeper anytime soon. The shot-stopper has been one of the few shining lights in an otherwise miserable campaign for the Red Devils.

Whether Henderson would be tempted to try his luck under the incoming Ten Hag and see if he