Dean Henderson must wait for Manchester United chance with Solskjaer adamant de Gea is 'best in the world'

Henderson ineligible to face his parent side on Wednesday but is free to finish the season with the Blades.
PA

Dean Henderson has been told he will have to wait for his chance at Manchester United because David de Gea is still the best in the world.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is convinced Henderson will be United and England’s No1 – but has no intention of pushing De Gea aside.

He insists the Spain international is at the top of his game despite a series of high profile errors over the past two seasons including one against Tottenham on Friday.

United legend Roy Keane claimed he’d be “swinging punches” at De Gea after his weak effort to stop Steven Bergwijn’s strike in the 1-1 draw against Spurs – adding that he’d make him get a taxi back to Manchester.

But Solskjaer says he still has total faith in the 29-year-old, who became the highest paid goalkeeper in the world when signing a new four-year contract worth around £375,000-a-week in September.

De Gea deemed at fault against Spurs. (Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United via Getty Imag

That means Henderson, who has been outstanding on loan at Sheffield United for the past two seasons, will have to wait.

United’s manager said: “It’s a different job to be playing for Sheffield United and for Man United.

“He’s got different roles and, for me, the two years he’s had have been fantastic development. He’s played with and against men, played in the Championship and plays in team that play exciting football and the stats show he’s proved worthy of a few points.

“He’s learning all the time. He’s a passionate keeper, developing, with good coaching and one day he’ll be England No1 and United No1 and he needs to keep developing.

In Pictures | Tottenham vs Manchester United | 19/06/2020

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“David is the best goalkeeper in the world. He’s conceded two goals in the last seven he’s played for us. There are City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Everton in that run. Two goals in seven games.

“He makes great saves, wins games for us and he’s still the best goalkeeper in the world.

“David is working really hard, he isn’t making errors you see time and time again, training, I’m pleased with his work.”

On the criticism De Gea has received, Solskjaer added: “He’s had some fantastic seasons and I don’t think it’s a bad run if you concede two goals in seven games.

“He’s made match-winning saves - he saved a point for us against Tottenham with the save.

“Mentally he’s a very strong keeper, but I speak to him every day, that’s fine.”

Henderson is ineligible to face United in a game that could be crucial to Champions League qualification on Wednesday.

But he has been told he can sign a short-term contract to see out the extended season at Sheffield United.

Solskjaer said: “I think the admin is paperwork and Dean’s had a fantastic season again as he had last year with Sheffield United. So far he’s proven the loan has worked out as we wanted.”

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