DE GEA IS STILL MY No 1 No 1
OLE BACKS UNDER-FIRE KEEPER BUT ADMITS TO HENDERSON DILEMMA...
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says he wouldn’t swap David de Gea for any goalkeeper in the world despite tipping Dean Henderson to be a future No 1 for Manchester United and England.
Solskjaer threw his support behind under-fire De Gea ahead of tonight’s home game against Sheffield United — a fixture that Henderson will miss because he is on loan from Old Trafford.
The message was clear: De Gea remains first choice and Henderson’s challenge, in the long term, is to depose him.
‘David has been fantastic at the club, he is still developing and still getting better and better,’ said Solskjaer in response to criticism of De Gea’s display in the 1-1 draw at Spurs on Friday night. ‘He’s still winning games for us with his saves but he’s always going to be under criticism because it’s Manchester United.
‘He’s conceded two goals in the last seven games but every goal he concedes it’s like, “Well, he’s finished”. Of course he isn’t.
‘ For me, he’s still the best goalkeeper in the world and I wouldn’t swap him with anyone.
‘Dean has had a fantastic couple of years at Sheffield United and I think eventually he will end up as England No 1 and Manchester United No 1.
‘But he’s got the best goalkeeper in the world to tip off his place.’
The manager’s comments highlight the dilemma facing him this summer: how do you keep Henderson happy if De Gea is still No 1?
The 23-year-old’s camp will seek talks with United at the end of the season over a new contract that reflects his progress.
Henderson only signed a new deal last summer worth around £35,000 a week that still has two years to run — with the option of another 12 months — but De Gea, 29, earns more than 10 times that on £375,000 a week.
Henderson’s representatives will seek improved terms of up to £100,000 a week after establishing himself as one of the best keepers in the Premier League.
United acknowledge that Henderson needs to play but are reluctant to loan him to a top-six rival amid interest from Chelsea.
Sheffield United would like to keep him for a third year, having agreed an extension to his loan for the remainder of this campaign.
But Henderson is ambitious to play at a higher level — even though the Blades will leapfrog United if they win this evening.
‘We’re going to have to make a decision because Dean obviously needs games. We’ll sit down with him,’ added Solskjaer. ‘ He’s learning all the time. Of course, that’s an option for him to stay at Sheffield United.
‘But it’s a different job to be playing for Sheffield United and for Manchester United.’
United tied another of their young homegrown talents to a long- term contract yesterday when Scott McTominay, 23, signed a new deal until 2025 with the option of a further year.
PAUL POGBA is in prime position to make his first Manchester United start in nine months tonight. The World Cup winner is fit again after recovering from an ankle injury that had kept him sidelined since Boxing Day. He impressed coming on as a substitute against Tottenham last week. And boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks likely to hand Pogba a start against Sheffield United, in a move that could see the Frenchman start with Bruno Fernandes for the first time.