Exclusive: Lee Hendrie issues Preston North End Freddie Woodman warning amid Man United links | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has told FLW his verdict on Man United's pursuit of Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman.

Lee Hendrie believes that Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman still has the potential to play regular football amid links to a backup role at Manchester United.

According to Football Insider, the Premier League club are pushing to sign the 28-year-old this summer in order to bolster their second-choice options in goals.

Woodman’s contract at Deepdale is set to expire at the end of the campaign, meaning he would arrive at Old Trafford as a free agent if he did make the switch.

While André Onana has come under pressure for the first-choice berth this season, it’s expected that the Preston shot-stopper would be a replacement for the departing Tom Heaton.

Lee Hendrie issues Man United warning to Freddie Woodman

Hendrie has claimed Woodman still has plenty to offer elsewhere as a first-choice goalkeeper, and that he should consider trying to get regular game time at this point in his career.

While he admitted it’s an honour for anyone to be linked to such a big club, he thinks it’s a move the Preston goalkeeper should turn down for the time being.

“It’s always a difficult one, I think, for goalkeepers,” Hendrie exclusively told Football League World.

“I say difficult, it’s whether you want to go strive and play lots more football, or you want to be in the shadows of goalkeepers where you’re pretty much part of the coaching staff, really.

“As I know lots of goalkeepers that have come to the end of their reign, I think Freddie Woodman has still got a lot to offer, to be honest.

“In my eyes, yes, it would be a fantastic move for himself, and it’s always an honour when you’re linked with big football clubs, and Manchester United are a big football club, so I’m sure he’ll be tempted. There’s no doubt the temptation of going to a Premier League football club is obviously massive.

“But being in the shadows, not playing much football, travelling, it can be frustrating.

“And that’s where I think you have to overlook things like that at times.

“It’s nice having that link, but I actually think he has still got potential to keep playing football and try get many games under his belt.

“But I think that could come much later on, if that’s the case he really wants too because you won’t play many, if any, games for Manchester United, you’d feel, unless they have massive injuries.

“That position is just so difficult. So, I feel that it would be an honour for him but, for me, it would all be about playing games and that’s more important.

“But, as we know, lots of players choose to go down the route of the opposite, so it’s a big call but I honestly think he should stand and play football for as long as he can, rather than be in the backdrop of other goalkeepers.”

Woodman still has a lot of career ahead of him

Man United signed Tom Heaton, and previously Lee Grant, as homegrown options to take up the third-choice goalkeeper spot when they were both near the end of their careers.

However, Woodman is still only 28 and could easily play for another decade if he wanted, so it might be a bit early to think about a move like this if he is seeking regular game time.

While the opportunity to work at a Premier League club of this stature will be tempting for the Preston star, he will know that he’s unlikely to play much outside of the odd appearance in cup games.

Woodman has his future in his own hands due to his expiring contract, and he should take his time to weigh up all of his options before making any decisions just yet.