Under-fire Henderson happy to stay at United even if relegated

Henderson is under fire from a section of the club’s supporters but scored twice in Monday’s 3-2 victory over Reading to keep the season alive.

Defeat would have condemned the Blades to life in League One but, with two games to play, it is still possible to catch Doncaster Rovers or Crystal Palace and stay in the Championship.

Henderson, 29, has another year left on a four-year deal signed when joining the Blades in a £2m switch from Watford. He is among the highest paid players at Bramall Lane but had gone 14 months without a goal prior to Monday’s game, mainly due to a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a hip injury.

“It is by far the worst season I have had with the injury but, with playing the last 10 games or so, my goal hasn’t changed,” he said. “I want to finish the season well and I have no plans to leave the club. I love it here and I would be happy to stay – even if that is in League One.”

Henderson’s relationship with Blades supporters turned sour two weekends ago when he was jeered off the field after missing a series of opportunities in a defeat against Middlesbrough.

But he says: “The pressure from the crowd doesn’t affect me one bit. I would rather take that stick than be stuck on the sidelines and I thrive off that sort of thing. I won’t be hiding because it spurs me on.

“If the boo boys think they are doing the right thing then that is up to them,” he added. “They pay their money and are entitled to their opinion.”

The Blades host Barnsley this weekend before visiting Swansea City on the final day of the season. In order to stay up, they will need two wins but also have to rely on Doncaster or Palace losing their final two games – and by enough goals to wipe out a goal difference which is currently inferior by eight and nine goals respectively.

“It will seem, to many, that it is ‘mission impossible’ and a long shot. However, we have to believe that we can do it,” said Henderson. “If it isn’t good enough, we will have to hold our hands up and accept responsibility but, at the moment, we have to remain positive and hopefully ‘mission impossible’ can come off for us because we owe it to ourselves and more importantly the fans.”

Midfielder David McAllister missed Monday’s game at the Madejski Stadium with a groin injury but is expected to come back into contention this weekend. Teenage defender Harry Maguire will also be available after serving a one-game ban.