EPL: Should Dean Henderson take over as No 1 Keeper for Man Utd?

The three-time Manchester United Players Player of the Year and Premier League Golden Glove recipient David De Gea has looked a shadow of his former self this season. The Spanish goalkeeper has 8 clean sheets in 23 appearances between the sticks this season in the league, which does not look for good reading. The question arises that should Dean Henderson take over the keeping duties ?

A 23-year-old in Dean Henderson has been waiting on the wings for quiet some time. The Englishman was loaned to Stockport County in 2016 followed by stints at Grimsby Town, Shrewsbury Town before a two-year loan to Sheffield United, where he impressed one and all with his dynamic, positive attitude only to get a call back to the Red Devils and be taken up as the second-choice keeper after Sergio Romero fell down the pecking order. In the current season, Dean has 7 clean sheets in 12 appearances across all competitions, which by all merits him an opportunity to showcase his talent.

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David De Gea has been very good for Manchester United over the past 3-4 years if not more but recent events have shown that he is facing the pressure from the young Englishman. The mistake against RB Leipzig in Matchday 6 of the Champions League where instead of attacking the ball with his hands, he used his legs and got himself into such a tangle that the conceded goal was enough to knock the Red Devils out of the competition. Another error was his inability to save the goal scored at Old Trafford against Newcastle on Sunday and the goals he conceded against Everton at home.

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A very relevant stat which exposes De Gea’s deficiencies between the sticks is that Manchester United are ranked 20^th in terms of teams whose keepers claim high crosses with only 3 to their name. The Spaniard’s way of punching the ball out of play instead of claiming it has opened up the hole for teams to attack him.

Dean Henderson getting chances in the Europa League this season along with his presence  in goal during the FA Cup and League Cup has shown that Ole seems to have gotten frustrated with the Spaniard’s performances over time.

It all might have started when De Gea’s howler last season against Watford at the Vicarage Road saw the Red Devils crumble to a 2-0 defeat at a very crucial stage of the season. His performances have been erratic and not up to the standards which he has set for himself and showcased over the last 4 years.

It seems that now is the correct time to give Dean Henderson a well-deserved run of games to prove his mettle. His attitude, energy coupled with his calmness during performances should be the signal for change.

David De Gea must use this time to get back to basics and train harder so that he merits a return between the sticks. But as for now, Henderson must be the No.1 for Manchester United.