Manchester United have told goalkeeper Dean Henderson that he should be prepared to start the team’s next six matches in all competitions, with Spaniard David de Gea away for personal reasons.
De Gea missed Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace, after which manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to set a time frame for his return to the team, which indicates that Henderson may well be set for an extended run.
De Gea was left out for personal reasons Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
According to the Manchester Evening News, this is exactly because Henderson has been told that he could play six matches on the bounce, which gave him the chance to start consecutive matches for the first time this season.
Henderson will chat a bit for the chance to put his stuff consistently, after being limited to just 13 appearances before Wednesday’s match, but it could end up being something of a baptism of fire.
Next up for United is the short journey across Manchester to face league leaders City, who have won 21 games in a row, before Serie A flyers AC Milan climb up to Old Trafford for the first match of their Europa League final 16 match.
Henderson can play some tough games | Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
We will see the David Moyes derby when West Ham come to town before the return match against Milan in the San Siro, and the FA Cup quarter-final with Leicester City will have a temporary end to club football in March.
That could be the chance Henderson has been waiting for. There have been many calls from fans that the 23-year-old will be promoted permanently to the starting line-up, with De Gea’s form faltering in recent months (years?), And Solskjaer praised Henderson as a hero after his 90th minute save, Patrick van denied Aanholt and saw United pick up a hard fought point against Palace.
“I can not really say about David, it is a private matter,” said Solskjær. “Dean is ready if he is called on, you see. He kept his concentration.
Henderson was United’s savior | Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
“I think it might have been called offside [against Van Aanholt] but right now I thought Dean saved us a point because it looked like it was a decisive moment and it was probably the biggest chance of the game, apart from Marcus in the first half. “
Reports have suggested that Henderson is ready to leave United this summer if Solskjaer does not agree to make him the undisputed number one, so this could be his chance to prove he deserves it.
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