Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson admits that he would still making his way in the Football League had he not taken the plunge to sign for Stockport at such a young age. Henderson spent time with the non-league promotion hopefuls when he was fresh from the Academy.
Further loan spells at Grimsby, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United (twice) followed. Each of those experiences left a mark on Henderson, now 25, as he ponders his next decision after being displaced by long-serving David de Gea as number one this season.
Capped once by England, the United stopper saw a temporary switch away from Old Trafford blocked this January. But exactly why does signing for Stockport represent the 'best decision' of his life?
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During a lengthy interview with MUFC media, Henderson said: "I think when Jordan Pickford was going out, at the start he went to Carlisle and it was an eye-opener for me. He was getting involved with the England squad and had the move to Everton. I'd got to follow that sort of pathway.
"I remember going there [Stockport] when I was a young kid, but I absolutely loved it. It was tough and really hard, as a young boy. Going into that division was an eye-opener for me. I'm thankful for the opportunity given to me by the manager at the time, Jim Gannon, for sticking by me because I didn't play too well.
"Playing at that level is probably harder than playing in the Premier League, in my opinion, as a goalkeeper, because it's a completely different game. It's tough, rough and ready and you've got to take it on the chin.
"Certain elements are in my game now. Your first loan is always difficult to go into a dressing room full of men. In the end it was okay but, at the start, it was really difficult. It's why I'm sitting here today.
"If I didn't [go out on loan], I'd probably be in League One now - going out on my first loan. I fought for it and I stand by it, the best decision of my life."
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