Solskjaer has to get a grip on the battle to be United No.1 M.E.N. ON
OLE IS FACING HENDERSON V DE GEA DILEMMA
IN expressing his concern about how the goalkeeping situation at United could cause problems this season, Gary Neville also struck upon the solution.
The former United and England right-back was speaking from experience when he said he was worried the battle between David de Gea and Dean Henderson could go wrong.
There are plenty of examples of a club believing they have two goalkeepers capable of fighting it out to be first choice, only to be indecisive when it comes to making the decision and both suffer. Two potential No.1s then become two No.2s and the problem intensifies.
That is the trap United have to avoid falling into this season and it will require Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be ruthless if he does make a change, and to then stick to it.
“The idea that Dean Henderson will just come in and replace David de Gea as No.1 goalkeeper at Manchester United straight away - it won’t happen, I can guarantee it won’t happen,” Neville said.
“I think this has got a problem written all over it.
“The one area of the pitch that you need stability and consistency in is your goalkeeper. You need to know who your No.1 is. You cannot have it where you’re flip-flopping. It does not work at all. I’ve never seen it work at any club or international level where there is a decision to be made between two goalkeepers.
“You have to fix your No.1, go with him and even if there’s a mistake, you stick with him. Once you take De Gea out of the team and put Henderson in, you may as well forget about De Gea.”
Although Henderson started in the friendly at Villa Park on Saturday, it would be a major surprise if it isn’t De Gea who begins the Premier League season against Crystal Palace tomorrow. The Spaniard has earned the right to stay as No.1 for now, with Henderson trying to put him under pressure.
For the academy graduate, it will be cup games for now as he tries to make an impression. There is an expectation De Gea will find himself under pressure at some point this season, purely because his form has been so unconvincing for the past 18 months.
If mistakes continue to come at the rate they did towards the end of last season, then there will be a clamour for Henderson to get his chance in the Premier League sooner rather than later.
The alternative theory
Solskjaer can’t be chopping and changing the two keepers during the Premier League season Tyrone Marshall
is that
De Gea will respond to the pressure for his place, something he has lacked in recent seasons, and will return to his best form, holding off the threat from Henderson all season.
But as Neville said, if a change is required ‘you may as well forget about De Gea.’
Solskjaer can’t be chopping and changing the two during the Premier League season. The defence needs to know who they are working with.
If De Gea’s struggles continue and Henderson is promoted, then Solskjaer must stick with that decision.
The youngster will deserve a chance to establish himself and will require patience if mistakes of his own come.
Neville is right t to point out that le l letting two goalkeepers ke k fight it ou out has ended in te tears previously, bu but such has been De Gea’s recent form that he desperately needs the challenge, and Henderson could use 12 months to prove that he is the long-term answer for such a big club.
Solskjaer can make it work this season, as long as he is ruthless if he does feel the need to drop a goalkeeper who has made more than 400 appearances for the club.
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