Jose Mourinho hails Dean Henderson's 'incredible development'

Jose Mourinho hails Dean Henderson’s ‘incredible development’ as former Man United boss recalls how young goalkeeper boldly claimed he would take David de Gea’s No 1 spot before loan at Shrewsbury Town

  • Jose Mourinho has praised Dean Henderson’s ‘incredible development’ 
  • The Man United stopper has been included in England’s 26-man squad
  • Mourinho recalls a memorable exchange while he was boss at Old Trafford
  • The Portuguese says Henderson has the ‘arrogance’ to be a top goalkeeper 
  • Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here.

Jose Mourinho has hailed Dean Henderson’s career development as the former Manchester United boss recalled the moment he was taken aback by the goalkeeper’s confidence during his time at Old Trafford.

Henderson, 24, has been selected in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for the Euros this summer after an excellent season in which the Englishman has forced his way into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI.

The United academy product has long had his eye on David de Gea’s No 1 spot between the sticks, having talked up his chances during his impressive loan spell at Sheffield United.

Jose Mourinho has hailed England goalkeeper Dean Henderson’s ‘incredible development’ 

The 24-year-old has risen through the ranks and forced his way into Man United’s eleven

And Mourinho, who managed the Red Devils between 2016 and 2018, has recalled a memorable exchange from his time at the club in which Henderson boldly claimed he would wrestle the gloves from De Gea. 

‘I am a Henderson fan,’ Mourinho told talkSPORT. ‘He was at United at my time, as a kid. I keep telling this story because it shows his nature. 

‘He comes into my office asking for a loan, at the time he went to Shrewsbury and when that kid was asking me to go on loan the kid was saying “when I come back I come back to be the number one’. 

Former United boss Mourinho recalls an exchange in which Henderson made a bold claim

Henderson told Mourinho he would take David de Gea’s place when he returned from a loan

‘We looked at each other, the staff, the goalkeeping coaches, we were like “we have De Gea and this kid didn’t even play one game and he is saying this”. 

‘Incredible development. Every loan was very successful. The way Man United organised his pathway, the way he was promoted until he was a Premier League goalkeeper, I think United did amazing for him and he did amazing for himself.’

Mourinho, who selected Henderson to start over England No 1 Jordan Pickford for the Three Lions’ opening game against Croatia, believes the 24-year-old has the ‘arrogance’ necessary to be a top keeper. 

Mourinho believes the 24-year-old has the ‘arrogance’ necessary to be a top goalkeeeper

The Portuguese has picked Henderson (R) to start over Jordan Pickford (L) against Croatia

‘I think he has this arrogance, this trust, this belief that a goalkeeper needs. You [English fans, the media] like to go the negative side, look at the mistakes previous mistakes goalkeepers make but Dean has this personality.’

Mourinho set out his preferred eleven to take on the Croats at Wembley which included an attack of Harry Kane, Mason Mount, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish, says England can win the Euros come July 11. 

‘Can? 100 per cent. Should? I think is a little bit too much, a little bit of an extra pressure they don’t need, but of course they can and of course they have the potential. 

‘To say they should we can say the same in relation to France, or Portugal. To say should in football is too much. 

‘I think they should be positive, they should believe in themselves, they should go into every match thinking they can win it.’ 




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