Ralf Rangnick has reportedly told Dean Henderson that he cannot leave Manchester United on loan next month, with a confrontation understood to be brewing.

Henderson, 24, is eager to get consistent game time having seen his first team minutes limited by the sublime performances of David de Gea this season.

The England international was due to take the No 1 spot but he missed the start of the season with Covid and De Gea has seized his chance to nail down a starting berth between the sticks.

Dutch giants Ajax have registered an interest in the 24-year-old and Tottenham are reportedly monitoring Henderson, but the Manchester Evening News reports that the goalkeeper is not going anywhere next month.

United’s interim boss Rangnick has informed Henderson that he wants three stoppers in his squad and as a result will not be able to leave. The report adds that the pair could soon be at loggerheads over the decision.

The Englishman has played just twice this term for United – once in the League Cup and again in United’s final Champions League group game – with De Gea seemingly undroppable as things stand.

Henderson is contracted until 2025 having signed a £120,000-per-week deal last year.  He was previously aggrieved under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after the Norwegian failed to deliver promised game time for the goalkeeper.

The 24-year-old is open to leaving on a permanent basis but United are reluctant to sell at this stage. Former United stopper Edwin van der Sar is now Ajax’s chief executive and has been keeping close tabs on Henderson.

Meanwhile, Tottenham are weighing up goalkeeping options with club captain Hugo Lloris entering the final six months of his contract.