Deal close: Man Utd ace set to pen new contract with key condition in talks

Dean Henderson is close to agreeing a new long-term deal at Manchester United - and also sealing a loan return to Sheffield United.

Discussions over an improved contract to tie down the highly-rated goalkeeper are well underway and have been positive. His current United deal has just one year left to run.

Part of the negotiations about a new deal have centred on Henderson being allowed to go out on loan once more, this time to a Premier League club, to continue his upward curve. United view 22-year-old Henderson as a future Old Trafford No 1.

To keep him on track for that target and to avoid stalling his development they want him to continue as a first-choice goalkeeper and get another season of regular football under his belt.

He has already enjoyed loan spells at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United, underlying his potential during each step of his climb up the Football League pyramid.

He helped the Blades to promotion from the Championship last season, was a hugely popular figure at Bramall Lane and boss Chris Wilder is desperate to get him back again.

And both Uniteds are in talks about a new agreement that will see Henderson return for a second stint, get the chance to prove himself at the highest level and and also push his claims for club and country.

Henderson spent a week training with United following England's Under 21 campaign this summer before going off for a short holiday.

United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer initially said Henderson would then be linking up with his first-team squad for the second part of their pre-season tour in Singapore.