UNITED No1 BATTLE

DEAN HENDERSON is desperate to keep his place and usurp David de Gea as Manchester United’s No 1 goalkeeper.

Henderson has started the last six games after De Gea was given a break for the birth of his first child, and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said yesterday both keepers will have opportunities over the remainder of the season.

De Gea is in contention to return against Brighton tomorrow but Henderson has reiterated his desire to become first choice in a move that could end the Spaniard’s 10-year career at Old Trafford.

‘To play for Manchester United you’ve got to be willing to do the hard work,’ said the England international.

‘No one is going to gift you the opportunity, you’ve got to keep working hard for it — and hopefully I can get the opportunity full-time. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I’ve always imagined playing for United in front of 76,000 and beating Liverpool.’

Henderson spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United because De Gea was blocking his way, and admits he thought his Old Trafford career was over after he let a shot from Liverpool’s Georginio Wijnaldum go through his legs at Bramall Lane 18 months ago.

In an interview with YouTube channel UMM broadcast this week, Henderson added: ‘I had to go out and do well and have the resilience to bounce back.

‘After the Liverpool game when I dropped a howler, I thought, “My United career is gone now because it’s against Liverpool”.’

Solskjaer was reluctant to be drawn on his goalkeeping dilemma yesterday, saying: ‘I’ve got great options with both of them but it will be decided on merit.’