The Old Trafford management would not consider a move for the 35-year-old free agent but Ruben Amorim desperately needs someone with Jordan Henderson's type of character
Jordan Henderson #6 of Ajax looks on after Ajax was defeated 3-0 by NEC Nijmegen in the Eredivisie match at Johan Cruyff Arena on May 11, 2025 in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Jordan Henderson is a free agent having had his Ajax terminated early
For a while, it was an open secret but during the last international break, confirmed one of the main reasons why is a key member of his England squad. Tuchel is satisfied 35-year-old Henderson can still do a job on the pitch at elite level but, just as importantly, he believes the former Liverpool captain is a leader off the field.
“He is a very important addition to this group,” Tuchel said. “Especially when we talk about setting standards and keeping the group up to standards.”
Those remarks came after a painful 1-0 win over mighty Andorra and a 3-1 loss to Senegal, so judgement on how Tuchel’s reasoning is working out should be put on hold. But Tuchel is not the only manager to value Henderson’s attitude to dressing-room culture.
“What makes a footballer?” Jurgen Klopp once asked. “Is it talent? Or is it the attitude? Well, it is having the perfect mix. And Hendo is the answer to that.”
That was some time back and, since then, Henderson left for Saudi Arabia before going to Ajax. The move to Al-Ettifaq was a deeply ill-advised one, professionally and personally.
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Seemingly a staunch supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, that was one obvious reason why he should have resisted the move and, on a playing level, it was too early to leave elite European football. His time at Ajax has not been without controversy - there was a tale about him wanting to walk out for a move to Monaco, which he denied - but he has played to a decent level, appearing 57 times and captaining the club.
And while Tuchel has been pilloried by many - including myself - for starting Henderson in some of his line-ups, you have to be fair and say the veteran has done okay in his international second coming. But does 35 count as 'veteran'? Not in modern football. You all know the examples - no need to list them.
Henderson looks fit and lean and gets about the pitch as well as anybody in an England shirt. And now, he is available without a fee, Ajax having agreed to terminate his contract.
Jordan Henderson of England hugs Thomas Tuchel, head coach of England
Thomas Tuchel wants Jordan Henderson in his squad because he believes the ex-Liverpool man sets high standards
(
Image:
2025 The FA)
Someone, somewhere, is going to get a great free transfer. It won’t be Manchester United.
There is the deep Liverpool connection, for a start and even if Ruben Amorim liked him, imagine how it would go down with the fans. But perhaps Amorim needs someone like Henderson to sort out a dressing-room that has been plagued by under-performing prima donnas.
Imagine how Henderson would have dealt with the tantrums of Alejandro Garnacho or how he would have tried to sort out Marcus Rashford if he thought he was not pulling his weight. It is not going to happen but Henderson is the sort of character the Manchester United dressing-room needs.
Ruben Amorim has had problems with Alejandro Garnacho (
Image:
Getty)
If he ends up at a Premier League club, Henderson will not be an automatic starter, no matter which one of the 20 is his destination. And he will know that.
But you won’t just be getting a very decent squad player, you will be getting a leader who stands for no nonsense on the training pitch or in the dressing-room. And if you don’t believe that, ask Thomas Tuchel.
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