Nottingham Forest feel blessed that Manchester United loaned them England goalkeeper Dean Henderson despite having their own problems at Old Trafford.
Henderson made several fine stops at Goodison Park on Saturday and was set for a second consecutive clean sheet until Demarai Gray snatched a late equaliser. It’s not only the saves that have impressed new team-mates but Henderson’s influence in the dressing room — something United boss Erik ten Hag will be noting amid David de Gea’s struggles.
‘Deano is a top goalkeeper. He’s come in and imposed himself on the squad,’ explained Forest’s experienced central defender Steve Cook. ‘He’s made saves, his distribution was very good today and his character is huge. He has added a lot to the changing room.’
Asked if he was surprised United allowed the 25-year-old to leave, Cook added: ‘I can only speak of what I’m seeing and yeah, definitely. The character he’s got will be a huge loss inside that dressing room but, to be honest, we are just delighted to have him with us.’
Two of Henderson’s most acrobatic leaps were to deny Everton livewire Anthony Gordon who showed why he is coveted by Chelsea.
The only thing missing from Gordon’s game is goals — netting only four times in his senior career.
Manager Frank Lampard, himself a renowned goalscoring midfielder, believes that aspect of the game will come for the 21-year-old.
‘He works on his finishing most days because he is a great professional,’ said Lampard.
‘It’s not always the norm for players in their early twenties to be plundering goals. It’s a process, players can improve by working time and time again.
‘He gave us so much general output last season, the goals will come. I didn’t start to rack up big numbers until I was 23, 24.’
In an open game, the surprise was it took 81 minutes for the deadlock to be broken by newly-promoted Forest who have made 16 signings this summer.
Jordan Pickford parried a shot from substitute Ryan Yates and Wales international Brennan Johnson sidefooted the rebound for his first Premier League goal.
But Everton deserved a point for the way they responded with Gray tucking away a brilliant 60-yard pass from goalkeeper Pickford with only two minutes left.
It was an emotional afternoon for defender Conor Coady who made his Goodison Park debut in front of friends and family.
‘We know we are improving, we see it every day,’ he stressed. ‘We were in shape and didn’t give many chances away.’
FootballChief
0
Man United need to decide on Henderson on time. This guy is so good
Zayacdilor
1
mane
Yodailmnps
0
experience keepers should learn to handle pressure
which's part of what he lacks .
vombceuz
0
one poor performance since frm de gea has made him a bad keeper and one good performance frm Henderson made him best, bear in mind that mu is not forest, the pressure frm both team are not the same, Henderson is doing good as a keeper but still need more time to get matured and gather more experience before he can be able to handle the pressure that comes wth playing fr man United.
experience keepers should learn to handle pressure
jiebdkmz
0
Gberto
0
370K per week shaky goalkeeper should play for United. even Louis Enrique benched him
joseadedayo
0
because of dean, I watched the match and trust me, his performance was bang average... there is NO WAY IN THIS LIFE that dean is benching ddg... the report says that his distribution was good... I had a big laugh when I read that... while I can't blame dean wholly for his poor long kicks during the match because forest dont build from the back, there was nothing speed about his passes which like I said were long kicks instead of long passes
lol, don't mind the media. they try to milk any controversial situation to generate news.
Jeremycamp
0
I fear that this season might share some similarities with the 2020/21 season, where Liverpool are going through a serious injury crisis and United could most likely be required to start Dean Henderson in every game thanks to some David De Gea mistakes.
Yodailmnps
5
one poor performance since frm de gea has made him a bad keeper and one good performance frm Henderson made him best, bear in mind that mu is not forest, the pressure frm both team are not the same, Henderson is doing good as a keeper but still need more time to get matured and gather more experience before he can be able to handle the pressure that comes wth playing fr man United.
azimotheus
2
because of dean, I watched the match and trust me, his performance was bang average... there is NO WAY IN THIS LIFE that dean is benching ddg... the report says that his distribution was good... I had a big laugh when I read that... while I can't blame dean wholly for his poor long kicks during the match because forest dont build from the back, there was nothing speed about his passes which like I said were long kicks instead of long passes
kabuyegodson
0
pipo stop over talking guy is still under contract of 4yrs at Manchester so why r u all talking these
Wotelmoy
1
He is still a Manchester United player, fyi he still has a 4 years contract with us!!!
NAFRIENDEM
2
But let be honestly Dean henderson is very good GK no doubts to that
yes I agree with that. He is A good goalkeeper
Dahcelpy
2
just another English player having a good game and all of a sudden he is world class. That's just English thing still
But let be honestly Dean henderson is very good GK no doubts to that
EmeraldJ
7
Forest is not Manchester United... The pressure in Manchester United is much more for Henderson for now. He had his chance, what difference did he make? Manchester United defence is in shambles
Amine_Ermac
4
Everyone can stay out of the radar and do a job quietly. With United, everything is magnified. Even holding your water glass to drink water at the team’s mandatory meeting.
NAFRIENDEM
6
just another English player having a good game and all of a sudden he is world class. That's just English thing still
Beatsbybox
4
English media hyping their players yet again
Yedadku
2
English racist
Yedadku
4
De Gea is 100 times better than him
zaeablmnp
1
hoe can manutd stick these navy years with de gea
ManUnited-Red
4
We got De Gea replacement 💯
Vezonic22
3
He is okay and has yet to be at Dear Gea's level.
ciupruyz
5
Don’t worry things will start working positively for United and u people will stop talking
Nazdilmpr
2
He is coming back next season as a first choice de Gea is not showing why he is earning 370