Schmeichel fires important warning to young United goalkeeper Henderson

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has the sort of headache everyone manager wants to have, with two top goalkeepers set to fight for the first choice spot.

Should he persevere with David de Gea after a challenging season at Old Trafford or welcome back Dean Henderson, who has been amazing on loan at Sheffield United.

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel reckons De Gea should remain as No. 1 goalkeeper.

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Henderson’s impressive form this season while playing for the Blades has strengthened his case to succeed the Spaniard at Old Trafford.

It has added to the focus on De Gea’s high profile mistakes this season — prior to when football was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We don’t think United will look to sell De Gea this summer and Henderson could go out on loan for another year.

Schmeichel believes Henderson has a long way to go before he can even consider the prospect of challenging De Gea for top spot at United.

The Dane said, as quoted by the Daily Star: “Would anyone seriously consider not having David de Gea in goal and put Dean Henderson in now?

“There’s no doubt that Henderson’s potential, but he’s played one season at a club who has had an unbelievable run in the Premier League.

“They’ve managed to combine an old-school way of thinking into a new-school way of thinking, staying true to Sheffield United and what kind of club it is.

“But Henderson will need to show another season, like he’s just come through, and then another one, and another one, in order to convince everyone that he is the right guy.

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“There’s a really big different between being the No.1 at Bramall Lane and being the No.1 at Old Trafford, a really big difference. Even just being a player at those new clubs.

“”I have seen a lot of guys come into Old Trafford with great reputations, goalscorers, and they haven’t been able to do what they promised to do, with performances and talent.

“That’s simply because the pressures at Old Trafford are different, just different, you know.

“Just as an example, if Henderson makes a mistake – and I can only remember one he made against Liverpool – it’s ‘oh yeah but he’s young and talented and blah blah blah’, because he plays for Sheffield United.

“If he makes that mistake at Old Trafford, for Manchester United, then it’s headlines and it’s all week until he plays the next game, where they question his ability to be the No.1.

“That’s what you have to deal with. That’s what the difference is between playing for clubs like United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, and then playing for the other clubs.

“The pressures, the outside pressures, are so different. If you make a mistake playing for Sheffield United, well, fine, it’s what happens, you’re not expected to win every game.

“But you are when you’re playing for the bigger clubs. So let’s see how he develops and keep an eye on him. But it’s far too early.

“So the question: De Gea or Henderson? There’s really only one answer to that.”

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