United's use of the loan system has been ideal for the development of the talented goalkeeper, who has embraced each challenge with enthusiasm and professionalism and become a shining example to the club's other youngsters about to make their way in senior football.
Most recently of course, he was playing in the Premier League for Sheffield United and the Reds' goalkeeping coach Richard Hartis was among the staff who monitored him there.
“Yeah I have been to see Dean play a few times,” Hartis told us, in an interview midway through last season.
“I am really, really pleased with how Dean is progressing.