Sporting director at Manchester United ahead of Dean Henderson exit

Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman is in attendance for Manchester United's home game against Nottingham Forest as Dean Henderson prepares to move to the Londoners.

Forest were firm favourites to re-sign Henderson but were tentative about negotiating a permanent move as he has not played since January 21 due to a thigh strain.

Henderson, 26, underwent thigh surgery in May and Palace contacted United about Henderson earlier this month as first-choice goalie Vicente Guaita wants to leave.

United are closing in on a deal for Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as they are prepared to let Henderson leave after 12 years with the club.

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Henderson was named on the bench for United against Forest for the Premier League fixture at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

The prospect of spending another season at United would be anathema to Henderson, who said he was "fuming" that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reneged on a pledge to install him as first-choice in 2021.

Solskjaer had informed Henderson of his intention that summer but Henderson contracted Covid-19 in pre-season and was laid low until September. When he was match-fit, Solskjaer refused to drop David de Gea and Henderson only played three times in the 2021-22 season.

With the European Championship next summer, Henderson's chances of earning a recall to the England squad would be significantly reduced if he remained at United.