Sheffield United ready to take Dean Henderson on loan from Manchester United for a third time

Henderson performed brilliantly against Premier League champions Manchester City on Tuesday night

Sheffield United have opened negotiations with Manchester United over extending Dean Henderson’s loan for a third consecutive season.

Henderson performed brilliantly against Premier League champions Manchester City on Tuesday night but was unable to prevent the Blades from falling to a 1-0 defeat.

The 22-year-old goalkeeper saved Gabriel Jesus’ first-half penalty to keep the score goalless, having already denied both Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Otamendi with fine stops.

Chris Wilder, the Sheffield United manager, hailed Henderson’s display as “outstanding” after the final whistle and said talks have begun with Old Trafford in order to keep him on.

“He wants to play first-team football,” Wilder said. “Maybe I shouldn’t be saying this, but I’m not so sure he’ll play backup to anybody. Maybe he’ll come out and say it.

“If there’s a decision for Manchester United, for him to come out to us for another year, we’ll gladly take that up. We’ve already started talking with them but obviously he’s their player.”

Wilder added: “That decision on behalf of Manchester United and the player, but he’s been outstanding for us.”

Henderson declared himself ready to play for Manchester United’s first team last summer, having started for England’s Under-21s at the European Under-21 Championship in Italy.

England manager Gareth Southgate called Henderson up to the senior squad in October for the injured Tom Heaton, though he is yet to make his full international debut.

“I know there is a bit of a pecking order but in that England group, those must be really good goalkeepers if they’re getting in ahead of him,” Wilder said on Tuesday.

“I’ve said that competition is fierce and there’s some unbelievably good goalkeepers, but I’m seeing him up close and personal every day and the performances he produces for us.”