Manchester United have blocked Watford's 11th-hour attempt to sign Dean Henderson on loan.
Henderson, 24, has generated interest from Ajax, Newcastle and Watford amid his wish to leave this month but United are reluctant to let him go as they would not have enough time to recruit a back-up goalkeeper.
Watford had enquired about Henderson to arrest their goalkeeping issues. Ben Foster and Daniel Bachmann have started almost an equal number of Premier League games this season and Watford appointed Roy Hodgson as their new manager last week.
Henderson has only started twice for United this term and is the latest player likely to be left aggrieved by the club's refusal to let him leave on loan. United prevented Jesse Lingard from joining Newcastle earlier on Monday.
With the departures of Anthony Martial, Amad and Donny van de Beek, United have whittled their squad down to 25 players, including Hannibal Mejbri, who is due to be integrated into the first-team set-up upon his return from Africa Cup of Nations duty with Tunisia.
Henderson was pencilled in to start the season as United's first-choice but contracted Covid in the first week of pre-season in July and was not available again until mid-September. David de Gea has improved immeasurably and is widely regarded as United's player of the season so far.
United academy graduate Henderson made 25 starts for United last term and assumed the No.1 role in March but has dropped out of the England squad and is prepared to leave the club permanently.
Henderson's future now hinges on whoever becomes the next permanent manager at United. United have not indicated their willingness to sell Henderson, who is contracted to the club until 2025, and United have the option of an additional year.
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