Dean Henderson’s new career has not really had too many shocks along the way so far.
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After a couple of spells in the lower leagues, the boy continued to enjoy two fantastic seasons with Sheffield United, and after a patient wait, he finally got his chance to make a claim on Manchester United’s number one in the absence of David de Gea.
However, United’s first draw with Milan saw him criticized for his part in Simon Kjær’s late equalizer.
Dean Henderson made a fantastic save on Zlatan Ibrahimovic | Marco Luzzani / Getty Images
In fact, little was said about the treacherous conditions in Manchester a week ago, with the pouring rain that probably accounted for Henderson’s poor attempt to stop the Danish defender’s late nod, but as a top – level goalkeeper he will have to prove he has it. mental stability and the attitude to bounce back from such mistakes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side traveled to Milan on Thursday with Henderson forced to effectively face his demons when he met the Serie A giants again, and the 24-year-old took a big step to prove that he has the mentality to learn and develop from his mistakes.
The United goalkeeper showed no signs of getting upset when he came up against the side that only last week benefited from probably his biggest mistake in a United shirt so far, with confidence from his line early on to ease the pressure the home side began to build.
Dean Henderson can be very happy with his performance against Milan | BSR Agency / Getty Images
The only time his Old Trafford nightmare threatened to raise his ugly head was when Alexis Saelemaekers unleashed a shot from the edge of the area. The effort was well beaten and nothing more, but Henderson chose to parry the ball away from danger instead of collecting it as it looked like he should have done.
Of course, critics no doubt jumped to discipline his decision to palm the ball from goal, but if anything, he would be applauded for admitting that he had already made a mistake in the tie that could have cost his side, so stick to the basics and get the ball away from danger instead of possibly releasing another clanger by hitting it back in the area.
Game management is a big part of all players’ games, especially a young and especially a young goalkeeper.
In a position where almost every mistake you ever make will lead to a goal, without a doubt the hardest part of reaching the top as an elite goalkeeper is having the ability to bounce back from your mistakes and recognize when to play it safe rather than to take unnecessary risks.
Paul Pogba’s goal secured United’s place in the Europa League in the 16 years | Marco Luzzani / Getty Images
Henderson’s show at the San Siro had everything you could ask for from a rookie shot-stopper who wanted to prove his credentials after the first serious slip-up of his United career, and his second-half save from Red Devils’ old boy Zlatan Ibrahimovic secured his side brilliant 1-0 victory as they advanced to the last eight of the Europa League.
All of a sudden, the mistake late against Milan in the first leg looks completely irrelevant when United emerge as winners from the age of 16, and Henderson’s display in Italy is a big part of the reason why his fault is now only a minor stain on his season rather than a catastrophic error.
