Manchester United have new number one goalkeeper after Brighton selection

EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt West/BPI/Shutterstock 11560147a Manchester United, ManU goalkeeper Dean Henderson and David De Gea warm up ahead of the game Sheffield United v Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, UK - 17 Dec 2020 Sheffield United v Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, UK - 17 Dec 2020 EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTXHUNxGRExMLTxCYPxROMxBULxUAExKSAxONLY Copyright: xMattxWest/BPI/Shutterstockx 11560147a

Dean Henderson’s inclusion for Manchester United in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting lineup against Brighton and Hove Albion indicates his new status as first-choice goalkeeper.

Henderson has started United’s last six games after David de Gea missed an extended period returning to Spain for the birth of his first child.

The 24-year-old has kept four clean sheets in that period, with his only notable error coming in the Europa League first-leg draw to AC Milan.

De Gea’s regression started after his difficult 2018 World Cup in Russia but he has been an outstanding for the Reds and there was a five-year period he was untouchable.

However, Solskjaer has had to be ruthless as two goalkeeper’s of such quality simply cannot remain within the same squad for much longer.

Henderson’s perseverance in the first-team setup this season has been admirable but he is a man with high ambitions and his ultimate goal has always been to play between the sticks in the Red of United.

His selection at Old Trafford against Graham Potter’s Brighton is a huge hint that he has usurped his Spanish teammate to become United’s number one for years to come.

Meanwhile, inevitable questions will be asked over De Gea’s future, a club great who remained a shining light during years of turbulence at United.

Man Utd XI to face Brighton: Henderson, Shaw, Lindelof, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka, Fred, Pogba, Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood, Cavani

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