Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HAS DE GEA GOT THE BALLS?
Solskjaer challenges Spaniard to reclaim title of No.1 keeper
BOSS Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged David De Gea to prove he still has what it takes to be Manchester United No.1.
Dean Henderson has started United’s last seven games, after first-choice keeper De Gea returned home to Spain to be present at the birth of his first child.
England keeper Henderson, ever-present for United in the Europa League this season, will battle it out with De Gea to play against Granada tonight in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
De Gea has been United’s undisputed first-choice keeper for the past decade, but is facing the end of that reign with Henderson having dislodged him.
But Solskjaer called on De Gea to show the same fighting spirit he had to summon as a player, when United brought in new strikers that were intent on taking his place.
“Every time I try to explain to players why they don’t play in a particular game, what they need to do and what my plans are for them, those discussions remain private,” said Solskjaer. “David has been a top, top keeper and he still is. He’s working to be ready when he plays.
“If it’s Dean or David, I’m very comfortable with both of them to play, and I’m very happy that none of them are happy not to play.
“When you’re a part of Manchester United, there are always going to be players coming in that don’t just come to fill the bench. Everyone has an ambition to take your shirt.
“I was there myself as a striker. We signed Ruud van Nistelrooy, Diego Forlan, Louis Saha, loads of top strikers – Dwight Yorke and Teddy Sheringham.
“The aim for me then is to prove to the manager that, ‘OK, I don’t mind you signing these, but I’m still important for you and I’m still going to give everything I can to play’.
“It’s the same right-back, left-back, centre-forward, goalkeeper.
David has had at 10 fantastic years and he’s had challengers. Of course they want to play.
“Sergio Romero probably played less games than he deserved and Dean has come in and given it his all because everyone wants that place in the team.” United are boosted by the return of Marcus Rashford, who came off with an injury in Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Brighton.
But Solskjaer said he will not take risks with Rashford’s fitness, with the forward (in training with Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof, left) playing through the pain barrier, as he manages an ongoing shoulder complaint. “Marcus is travelling and we have to make a decision if he starts or is on the bench,” added Solskjaer. “I don’t think he’ll play the 90 minutes. “He trained this morning. He’s available to be selected, either as a sub or a starter.”