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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made the bold choice of leaving David de Gea on the bench for Manchester United’s trip to face Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
The Spaniard had started the previous 24 of United’s 31 Premier League fixtures this campaign, but he seems to have lost his place to Dean Henderson.
During Sunday’s match, Henderson made several important saves as Solskjaer‘s side came from behind to win 3-1, vindicating his coach’s selection choice.
A new challenger
It’s the first time since De Gea arrived at Old Trafford in 2011 that his position as the No.1 goalkeeper has been seriously under question.
The scenario comes in just Henderson‘s first season as a first team player at United, having spent the previous two years on loan at Sheffield United.
Henderson against TottenhamAP
The 24-year-old, who made his senior England debut in November, is tipped to become De Gea‘s successor as United’s No.1 in a changing of the guard that could come sooner than expected.
Healthy competition?
“David has had 10 fantastic years at Man United and he’s had challengers,” Solskjaer said before the Spurs match.
“Of course they want to play – Dean has given it his all because everyone wants that place in the team. David does as well and it’s a healthy competition.
“Goalkeeper departments are a very tightknit group. They work together in preparation, they have different gym sessions, individual sessions, they stay together more. Naturally they create a bond and the spirit in the goalkeeping department has been top. But it’s a healthy competition.
“David has been a top, top keeper and he still is. He’s working to be ready when he plays. If it’s Dean or David, I’m very comfortable with both of them and I’m very happy that none of them are happy to not play.”
De Gea signed a new contract at Old Trafford seeing him through to the summer of 2023, so United still have a task on their hands to offload him this summer. That is if Henderson manages to dislodge him.
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