If Dean Henderson is not a familiar name just yet, it will be by next season.

Henderson will be a Premier League goalkeeper one way or the other, after working his way up via the loan system to earn his chance to shine on the biggest stage.

And if his last few seasons are anything to go by, it is only a matter of time before the England and Manchester United goalkeeper-in-waiting is a household name.

Manchester United goalkeeper Dean Henderson is poised for a Premier League breakthrough

The 22-year-old performed brilliantly as Sheffield United earned promotion to the top flight

Henderson has just finished his best year yet, on loan at Sheffield United, an essential part of the defence on which their incredible automatic promotion campaign was built.

Another chance to enhance his reputation awaits in this summer's Under-21 Euros with England which he heads into on a high and as a man in demand again 12 months after having 14 clubs desperate to sign him.

This time round all his suitors will be from the top flight after an outstanding individual season capped with a string of awards including the Championship's golden glove for his league leading 21 clean sheets in 46 games.

'It sounds unbelievable,' Henderson, 22, says about now hearing himself described as a Premier League goalkeeper.

'That was the dream as a kid growing up, what you always aspire to be. You always watch Premier League Years on the telly and to know that could be me next year, I can't wait.

'Whether that is at Manchester United, Sheffield United, wherever, I'm good enough to be a Premier League goalkeeper. I deserve that chance.

Henderson, while on loan at Bramall Lane, kept 21 clean sheets in 46 Championship games

Henderson now believes he is ready to take the gloves for his parent club Manchester United

'It's a tough one to say where. But do I think I should be playing at Manchester United now? Yes I do.

'I think I am good enough and I would help the team a lot, in a positive way.

'If not there I'm sure I could go back to Sheffield United, play a season and then I'll prove to Manchester United what they are missing.'

Henderson's rise could be perfectly-timed. Current United No.1 David De Gea endured a tough 2018/19 and his future is in doubt.

'I would give my right leg to play for that football club,' says Henderson, the Young Lions' first choice who is also on seniors boss Gareth Southgate's radar.

'That has been my dream since I was a little boy, being a fan. I just know I'm working hard in the background and waiting for any little opportunity that comes up. If it does, I will take it for the next 10 to 15 years.'

At a time when the attitude and character in United's dressing room is being doubted Henderson has the potential to really shake things up at Old Trafford. His, for starters, cannot be questioned.

He is blessed with huge self-belief to match his considerable talent, which has been understandably strengthened by the impressive impact he has had during loan spells at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and now Sheffield United.

His spell with Sheffield United was the fourth time Dean Henderson has been sent out on loan

Henderson first must turn his attentions to playing for England at the Under-21 Euros in Italy

And he is not afraid to say it how it is, even if it means ruffling a few feathers.

Supporters of all the teams he has played for have quickly grown to worship him because of how he immerses himself in their clubs, especially as a loan player.

Opposition fans, meanwhile, try their very best to get under his skin.

'It is because I am good at what I do and they obviously get a bit upset when they can't score past me,' Henderson says with a grin, half joking.

'Then I give them a bit of grief and they jump on my back. It's all good natured.

'A lot of people are robots these days. The characters are falling out of the game so I'll keep being myself.'

That might have cost him a place in the Championship team of the season, with Middlesbrough's Darren Randolph selected instead.

His approach also means any slip-up is likely to be pounced on. But there were so few last season those occasions stick out like a sore thumb.

One came in December's Yorkshire derby against Leeds when Henderson's error led to Pablo Hernandez's late winner.

The England keeper catches a high ball as the team train at St George's Park earlier this month

Henderson comes out to claim the ball during Sheffield United's match at Leeds last season

Such is his mental resilience, though, Henderson said: 'We went to Reading the next week and the goalkeeper coach said to me 'don't worry about last week.'

'I said 'why what happened?' He said 'the goal.' I said back 'don't worry about that. I've already forgotten about that. It's irrelevant.'

'This is where you show your character, your mental strength to come back.' He had to again in February after conceding three late goals in a 3-3 draw at Aston Villa, holding his hands up for two of them.

Henderson's response? Seven clean sheets in a row. 'That just shows what I'm about because I felt really low after that,' he says.

'They're the times as a goalkeeper that it's the worst. You're on your own and have to come out the other end.'

Sheffield United's eventual promotion was a remarkable, against-the-odds achievement given they were tipped for relegation after losing their first two games.

'Real men turn up' became the team mantra, repeated in their pre-match huddles and inspiring Chris Wilder's side for the rest of the season.

Henderson can boost his case to be Manchester United's No 1 by playing well at the Euros

The keeper dives at the feet of Italy and Juventus man Moise Kean during a 2018 friendly

'People are getting too soft in football and the real winners have filtered out of the game but we've got that in our changing room which is why we have won this season,' Henderson says.

'Sheffield United will stay in my heart forever. I love this club to pieces for what they've given me this year and the same with Shrewsbury. Money can't buy those sort of things.

'They've given me an opportunity prove my worth and got me to the next level again.'

But before the Premier League challenge which will boost his long-term senior international ambitions comes the Young Lions' Euros Under-21 campaign, which starts against France on Tuesday.

Henderson added: 'I don't think they are bigger games than some of the ones like Leeds away and others like that but they will be a different test for me.

'We have got a good team, we will go there and enjoy it and try and win it because most importantly that is what England is all about. We need to start winning these tournaments.'