Solskjaer relaxed over battle to be United No 1

IF Ole Gunnar Solskjaer thought he could leave behind the issue surrounding his two goalkeepers when Manchester United flew to Spain for tonight’s Europa League quarter-final against Granada, he was mistaken. Back on the agenda yesterday was the battle between David de Gea and Dean Henderson to be No1. It has been building all season and promises to dominate what remains of the campaign. If it ends with an appearance in the Europa League final in Gdansk on May 26 then Solskjaer will have the mother of all selection puzzles. Healthy competition was how the United manager described it yesterday but it already threatens to have a terminal effect on De Gea’s ten-year career at Old Trafford this summer. ‘If it’s Dean or David, I’m very comfortable with both of them to play and I’m very happy that neither of them is happy to not play,’ said the

United boss. ‘It’s a healthy competition. Both of them are important. ‘David has been a top, top keeper and he still is. He’s working to be ready when he plays. David has had ten fantastic years at Man United and he’s had challengers. ‘Of course they want to play. Dean has come in and given it his all because everyone wants that place in the team. David does as well.’ Solskjaer recalled competition for places he experienced as a player at United as he set out the challenge facing De Gea. ‘When you are a part of Man United, there are always going to be players coming in who don’t just come to fill the bench — everyone has ambition to take your shirt,’ he added. ‘I was there myself as a striker.’ GRANADA v MAN UTD, Nuevo Estadio de Los Carmenes. Kick-off: 8pm. TV: LIVE on BT Sport 2. Referee: Artur Dias (Por).