Ambitious young Cumbrian goalkeeper Dean Henderson hopes his loan switch to Sheffield United will see him take a major step towards his dream of becoming England’s No.1.

Having watched former Carlisle United loan man Jordan Pickford star for the Three Lions at the World Cup, the Whitehaven-born shot-stopper sees no reason why that could not be him in Qatar in four years’ time.

The 21-year-old, who started his career at Carlisle United, said: “This will help me massively to go forward, playing on a bigger stage in front of bigger crowds, building my profile and, hopefully, have a chance to get my first senior call.

“Angus Gunn [the then-Man City keeper who was on loan at Norwich] got a call-up from the Championship last season. I’ll have to prove it but don’t see why I can’t.”

Referring to Pickford’s heroics in Russia, he added to The Mirror : “It fills me with so much confidence and makes me think the position is possible for me.

“I’m not silly and know he’s got games behind him and a good World Cup.

“But in four years there’s no reason why I can’t challenge for the England No.1 shirt for the next 10 to 15 years with the ability and confidence I have.

“This is the first time I’ve probably let it out but I’ve no problem with that because I believe I’m going to go and back it up.”

Manchester United man Henderson, who signed a new deal at Old Trafford in June, is determined to live up to his words which is why he is embarking on his fourth senior loan spell at a young age for a keeper.

“If you back yourself, you have to go out and show it,” he said.

“I genuinely believe, if I reach my potential, I’ve the best chance to be England and Manchester United’s No1. To do that, I have to play as many games as possible.

“People might like to sit with the Manchester United shirt on, play once every couple of weeks in the Under-23s, travel around with the first-team but, actually, it’s irrelevant because they’re never going to play regular football.

“You need to go out there, get your shirt dirty.”

Henderson began his career with the Blades on Saturday as he started in a 2-1 defeat to recently-relegated Swansea at Bramall Lane.