'I want to become the best in the world, and do it my way'
AIMING HIGH: Dean Henderson is hoping he can hit the heights of the likes of Manchester United team mate David de Gea and World Cup winner Manuel Neuer.
WHEN it comes to confidence, Dean Henderson certainly isn't lacking – and it's a trait that certainly serves the man who wants to become the world's best goalkeeper well.
The 19-year-old is currently serving his football apprenticeship at
Grimsby Town, with his eyes firmly fixed on making himself Manchester United's number one.
Of course, shifting David de Gea – arguably the current title holder of world's best – from his spot at one of the world's biggest clubs is not going to be an easy task.
But Henderson has no doubts in his mind that, at some point in the near future, he'll be challenging the Spaniard for his spot in Jose Mourinho's team.
And it's clear that United know he has the ability to do that.
The Premier League giants tracked Henderson from the age of ten, they've had him training with the club's biggest stars, and they've been eager to get him playing in the Football League before he's even turned 20.
It all points to them realising they have something special on their hands – which will be music to the ears of the Mariners,
who have secured him for the remainder of the season.
And with his immediate future now sorted, Henderson can return to his ultimate aim – making himself the world's best goalkeeper.
"When I was growing up I was an outfielder, so I was looking at the likes of Ronaldo," Henderson told the Telegraph.
"But once I went in net I started looking at Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar. I looked at them and realised I wanted to be like them.
"Now a new era's come through and you've got the likes of David de Gea, Manuel Neuer and Hugo Lloris, so you obviously watch and learn from them.
"But at the end of the day, you want to be your own person, you want to get to the top yourself.
"Hopefully one day people will be saying the same things about me – saying that they want to be the next Dean Henderson."
Part of Henderson's learning curve has seen him drop down into the lower reaches of English football in order to learn his craft.
A spell at Stockport last year has been followed up with this season's turn at Blundell Park, where he has taken League Two by storm with some astonishing saves in the process of keeping four clean sheets in his first six appearances.
READ MORE: Henderson aiming for promotion after extending Town deal
And, with fellow keeper James McKeown and coach Andy Warrington helping him along the way, Henderson is constantly adding to his game.
"Saturday at 3pm is when you learn the most.
"There were scenarios at Hartlepool where Billy Paynter was using his experience – he knows I want to come and collect crosses so he's getting me in the ribs, grabbing my arms, and you've got to find little ways out of that yourself.
"Macca and Andy have been great, they're absolutely outstanding. The advice they give me is brilliant.
"Macca teaches me how to prepare for games – I watched him for the spell when I was out of the team and just watched how he prepares, and it's good working with him because he keeps his standards high in training, so it's good to have that competition."
Henderson will be aiming to continue his great form between the sticks tomorrow as the Mariners travel to Stevenage.
And, with promotion at Town firmly in his sights, the 19-year-old prospect wants to continue making a name for himself during the remainder of the campaign.
"As it stands, I'm the youngest goalkeeper in the Football League, so I'm out there trying to make a name for myself.
"You've sometimes got to step out of your comfort zone, go out there and play and prove yourself instead of telling people how good you are.
"I'll go out there, and I like to think I'll show everyone how good I think I am and how much I really want this.
"I've just got to keep going, and I'm very determined to do that."
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