Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained why he has opted to start back-up goalkeeper Dean Henderson over regular number-one, David De Gea.
Henderson, 23, has been at United since he joined their youth academy all the way back in 2011.
A string of successful loan spells saw the English shot-stopper enjoy spells with the likes of Grimbsy Town and Shrewsbury before most recently spending two-seasons with Sheffield United.
Since his arrival back from loan, Henderson has forced his way into Solskjaer’s first-team plans and is set to rival De Gea for the right to be consider the club’s first-choice keeper.
As the Reds are currently preparing to take-on Chris Wilder’s struggling Blades in the Premier League on Thursday night, Solskjaer has shocked fans by awarding Henderson with a start against his former club.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s exciting match-up, Solskjaer has explained the reasons behind his decision to bench De Gea in favour of his 23-year-old back-up keeper.
“It’s one I had pencilled in for him early on,” Solskjaer told MUTV. “I feel Dean is ready as well now to take these games on because he’s played well when he’s played. David did really well against City, it’s not anything to do with that.”
United will be hoping to take all three-points from the first of their two games in-hand over league leaders and arch-rivals Liverpool before the Reds prepare to host Leeds United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
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