MAN UTD v BRIGHTON PREVIEW:

Solskjaer admits choosing between Henderson and De Gea is giving him a major headache

OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER admits he faces a dilemma over whether to pick David De Gea or Dean Henderson as Manchester United’s No.1 goalkeeper.

England keeper Henderson made six successive appearances for United while De Gea – first choice for the past decade – returned to Spain for the birth of his first child.

Henderson kept four clean sheets in those six games and United boss Solskjaer said he faces a “difficult” decision over which keeper to pick for tomorrow’s visit of Brighton.

“I understand the question and the narrative, that is where there’s potential tension and controversy, that’s where everyone wants to hear a comment from me,” said Solskjaer.

“I’ve got great options because they’re top goalkeepers. Both of them want to play as much as possible but that will be decided on merit. We will have to think who’s going to give us a win on any given day.

“The two keepers will probably be needed in these last nine league games plus, hopefully, five more games in the Europa League.

“Both of them know we value them really highly and it’s a difficult thing to leave one of them out.

“It’s an easy decision to give them the nod and say they’ll play.

“The difficult thing is to leave one of them out, but it’s a good decision to have to make. You will probably see both of them before the end of the season. I have the great option of two top goalkeepers and it’s a pleasure to have them here.

“We’ve got nine games to go and we want to go all the way in the Europa League, so I’m sure you’ll see both of them playing in goal for us.”

Second-placed United have an eight-point advantage over fifthplaced West Ham in the battle to secure a top-four finish and with it a Champions League slot for next season. Chelsea, in fourth, are six points behind them.

Although United are on course to achieve their goal, Solskjaer has several injury concerns ahead of tomorrow’s late kick-off against Graham Potter’s side at Old Trafford.

Anthony Martial and Victor Lindelof have yet to resume training, while Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, both forced to withdraw from England international duty, have trained only once.

“As always when you send them away on an international break you keep your fingers crossed they’ll be available for you,” said Solskjaer.

“Neither Anthony nor Victor trained this morning. We’re still waiting for final confirmation on how they are.

“Marcus and Mason trained for the first time and hopefully they can get through that with no reaction.

“If they complete the last full training session tomorrow, they might be available for selection.”