There’s no doubting that David de Gea has been a terrific servant for Manchester United.

The Spaniard has enjoyed some great success and helped his side’s cause with some stunning saves. At one time we could have even classed De Gea as one of the world’s top keepers.

But the thirty year old hasn’t been at that level for quite some time now. I feel for the goalie as I don’t believe his drop in form is all down to him, there’s only so many times that you can carry your teammates before breaking your back.

Unfortunately though, if you look at United then one thing at the moment needs to be address if they are going to win silverware next season and that’s the goalkeeping situation.

On Wednesday night, Man United lost on penalties to Villarreal in the Europa League final (BBC Match Report).

De Gea conceded all eleven penalties he faced and then unfortunately missed the last spot kick to hand his club the defeat.

Now forget the missed spot-kick, a goalie isn’t paid or expected to score goals. David was woeful in his keeping duties. I don’t think I have seen a goalkeeper physically shrink like De Gea did on the goal-line. He looked nervous, slow and rarely went the right way at any point.

The Spanish international hasn’t actually saves a pen since 2016! These are the moments when a big club needs an inspired man between the sticks and De Gea no longer inspires confidence.

Even though Man United finished second in the league, they actually conceded more than anyone else in the top four!

Now their could and probably should be a ready made replacement at Old Trafford.

Dean Henderson enjoyed a fantastic two year loan spell at Sheffield United between 2018 and 2020. In that time he helped The Blades win promotion into the Premier League and then helped keep them there.

This season has seen United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer have a look at twenty-four year old by playing him in twenty-six outings.

In those somewhat sporadic appearances, the England international managed to produce eleven clean-sheets. Standouts include against Manchester City, Leeds United and AC Milan.

Henderson is a terrific shot-stopper and possesses great reflexes. He’s also a keeper that seems switched on and is able to keep fully concentrated for long spells too. Ironically he’s also very good when facing up to penalties!

In the past, Solskjaer has explained that he likes the competition between his two goalies:

“I’m in a very fortunate position to have the goalkeeper department that I have – and it was a conscious decision to bring Dean back to have real competition.

“Dean has made it harder and harder for me, of course, to leave him out because whenever he plays he does really well.”

Via Manchester Evening News

I think that Ole has always been right to not throw De Gea under the bus, even after some erratic performances. I also feel he deserved another chance to prove himself at Old Trafford this season.

I just don’t believe the Spaniard did enough to deserve to hold onto the number one for next term.

Dean Henderson now deserves his chance to prove himself as Manchester United’s new number one!

Posted on May 28th, 2021 by scott
Filed under: Article