da bet7： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da pixbet： Speaking to The Athletic, former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele has tipped Dean Henderson to compete with David de Gea for the number one spot at Old Trafford.
What did he say?
Henderson is in the midst of his second successive year-long loan spell at Sheffield United, but signed a new long-term contract with the Red Devils earlier in the summer.
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Now, Steele has backed Henderson to challenge De Gea for a first-team role when he makes his return from Bramall Lane next year, and insisted he has the right characteristics to do so.
He said: “He has all the physical attributes you need. Plus that cockiness and confidence about him. He sees himself as the biggest challenger to David De Gea at Manchester United and I love that. Even though he is not at the club right now.
“I have no problems with that. He is doing the right thing and getting experience at a good club. He is still a young keeper. Peter Schmeichel didn’t come to Old Trafford until he was 28. David De Gea was the exception at 19 or 20. I have said this to Dean privately. He is still a young keeper.
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“Knowing Dean as I do, what he will be thinking is, ‘Richard Hartis (Manchester United’s senior goalkeeping coach) and Ole Gunnar (Solskjaer), please keep sending your scouts to Sheffield United’. He knows he is being watched. He knows what is required. Hartis will be asking, ‘Who is going to challenge De Gea?’ I am sure Dean will be thinking he can be the number one at Manchester United.”
Competition
Make no mistake about it, if Henderson thought it would be a difficult job to displace De Gea earlier in the summer, then the Spaniard’s bumper new contract has made his task that much harder.
United’s decision to hand the former Atletico Madrid man a fresh deal suggests they don’t have a massive amount of faith in Henderson to come in and become the number one straight-away. As always, pre-season will be key, but, if the 22-year-old can enjoy an impressive campaign in the top-flight with the Blades, then Solskjaer’s side will have a real conundrum on their hands.
Competition for places and the pressure of knowing that you have to perform on a week-to-week basis can increase the quality of performances from players. And, Henderson’s return to Old Trafford could spark a major upturn in form for both him and De Gea too.