Erik ten Hag has said Dean Henderson is a genuine option to start the season in goal for Manchester United, if their pursuit of Andre Onana fails.
United are trying to finalise a deal for Inter Milan keeper Onana, but are only willing to pay around £42m, with the Serie A side wanting £50m. If a fee cannot be agreed, Ten Hag said he would be happy to put his faith in Henderson, who has returned to United after a season on loan at Nottingham Forest.
Asked if Henderson was a genuine option if a deal for Onana cannot be done, Ten Hag said: “Of course. I followed him through the whole of last season. Of course goalkeeper is a key position, but I'm happy with the players we have now. You never know with transfers, but we’re working on it.”
Ten Hag was speaking after his side got pre-season off to a winning start by beating Leeds 2-0 Oslo. Goals from youngsters Noah Emeran and Joe Hugill set up the win, with Mason Mount impressing on his debut for the club.
England star Mount was restricted to the first-half of United's victory, but impressed Ten Hag with dynamism, labelling his newest recruit as “a complete midfield player”.
“I think you've seen today what he can bring,” said Ten Hag. “He's ball-secure, has good solutions on the ball, is dynamic and is good at defending.
"He is a complete midfield player. He has some areas he has to work on but, in general, he's a very good player who suits us and can help us achieve our goals.
“He was great, but we all expected this from him. This was just his first game, but he's going to contribute to our performance so much. We know his capabilities and he will absolutely increase the level of our team.
“It's exciting that we have him, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro, but don’t forget we also have other options – for example, Christian Eriksen. One of the options we have is Bruno, Casemiro and Mason – and we have to see how that develops, how it progresses in pre-season and going into the season.”
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Mount said: “It felt great to be on the pitch. We've had that time in training and been working so hard, so it's great to show that in matches now. The first week is all about fitness and getting work into the legs, but I've a big understanding now of how the manager wants to work and how the boys play.
“I really liked the role I was in today. Being able to drop in and build up the play from a bit deeper, but with that licence to go forward and make runs into the box and be involved in more attacks.
“I like to start off the press, to give the opposition something to think about and then to combine that with an attacking threat and rhythm of our own."
