---
title: "Sheffield United: Fans not happy that Nick Pope started ahead of Dean Henderson for England"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/sheffield-united-fans-not-happy-that-nick-pope-started-ahead-of-dean-henderson-for-england/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jack Maleham"
section: "Premier League"
published: "2019-11-19T07:40:17Z"
modified: "2019-11-19T07:40:17Z"
---

# Sheffield United: Fans not happy that Nick Pope started ahead of Dean Henderson for England

**Several Sheffield United fans can’t believe that Nick Pope was chosen to start England’s game against Kosovo on Sunday ahead of Dean Henderson.**

The Burnley goalkeeper was given his first Three Lions start by Gareth Southgate ([BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50160458)), replacing regular number one Jordan Pickford, who was rested with qualification for Euro 2020 already secured.

However, Blades fans believe that Henderson would have been more deserving of the opportunity to play given his performances this season.

They may have a point given that the Manchester United loanee has played his part in a solid start to the Premier League season for Sheffield United.

He has already kept five clean sheets which is the joint most in the league alongside Ederson ([premierleague.com](https://www.premierleague.com/stats/top/players/clean_sheet)) and has conceded just nine goals, which is nine fewer than what Pope has shipped in with Burnley ([BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/table)).

It ended up being a quiet evening for Pope, with Kosovo having just three shots on target and none that particularly troubled the 27-year-old ([BBC Sport](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50160458)).

Here is how some Blades supporters reacted to the news that Southgate had selected Pope instead of Henderson…

> Good to see Southgate picking players on form and not giving the best English keeper on current form the chance, P.S not a dig at pope but we did put 3 past him other week
>
> — Kieran Batham (@KieranBatham) [November 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/KieranBatham/status/1196069490334797824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Is dean Henderson non existent?
>
> — Callum Cutler (@calcutler) [November 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/calcutler/status/1196040524408541184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> So joint top clean sheets in the prem doednt warrant a start but the Burnley keeper who has flooded goals in recent games does? Okay
>
> — Jono ⚔ (@Jonosufc1996) [November 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/Jonosufc1996/status/1196030404597309440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> [@deanhenderson](https://twitter.com/deanhenderson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [@England](https://twitter.com/England?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Good to see people picked on Form again ! 🙄
>
> — Brett Sinclair (@JerryBerryYeah) [November 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/JerryBerryYeah/status/1196070993774751748?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Think Southgate is scared to pick hendo, because Pickford would never get back in
>
> — paul clarke (@nobbsta) [November 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/nobbsta/status/1196047799718162434?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Lets give pope a go in net because that makes more sense than henderson who has way more clean sheets [#sufc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/sufc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/G1NTWpjlNo](https://t.co/G1NTWpjlNo)
>
> — tom staniforth (@tomsufc12) [November 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/tomsufc12/status/1196091743940292608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Nick Pope – last 5 games conceded 9 goals.\
> Dean Henderson – last 5 games conceded 2 goals
>
> But Pope starts tonight 🙃🤦‍♂️ [#sufc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/sufc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#twitterblades](https://twitter.com/hashtag/twitterblades?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — Callum Hobson (@CallumHobson\_\_) [November 17, 2019](https://twitter.com/CallumHobson__/status/1196055469053353984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

***Sheffield United fans, do you think that Dean Henderson deserves a start for England? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below…***