Peter Schmeichel has slammed suggestions that Dean Henderson should replace David de Gea as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Henderson has enjoyed an impressive season on loan at Sheffield United, helping Chris Wilder’s team climb to seventh in the Premier League following their promotion from the Championship.
The 23-year-old will return to Old Trafford in the summer and either rival De Gea for a place in United’s first-team or be sent out on loan again by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
There have been suggestions that Henderson is already good enough to claim the gloves off De Gea but Manchester United legend Schmeichel says he has to prove his ability over a number of seasons.
The five-time Premier League winner said: ‘Would anyone seriously consider not having David De Gea in goal and put Dean Henderson in now?
‘There’s no doubt about Henderson’s potential, but he’s played one season at a club who has had an unbelievable run in the Premier League.
‘They’ve managed to combine an old-school way of thinking into a new-school way of thinking, staying true to Sheffield United and what kind of club it is.
‘But Henderson will need to show another season, like he’s just come through, and then another one, and another one, in order to convince everyone that he is the right guy.
‘There’s a really big difference between being the No.1 at Bramall Lane and being the No.1 at Old Trafford, a really big difference. Even just being a player at those two clubs.
‘I have seen a lot of guys come into Old Trafford with great reputations, goalscorers, and they haven’t been able to do what they promised to do, with performances and talent.
‘That’s simply because the pressures at Old Trafford are different, just different, you know.
‘Just as an example, if Henderson makes a mistake – and I can only remember one he made against Liverpool – it’s “oh yeah but he’s young and talented and blah blah blah”, because he plays for Sheffield United.
‘If he makes that mistake at Old Trafford, for Manchester United, then it’s headlines and it’s all week until he plays the next game, where they question his ability to be the No.1.’
Schmeichel added on Instagram Live: ‘That’s what you have to deal with.
‘That’s what the difference is between playing for clubs like United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, then playing for the other clubs.
‘The pressures, the outside pressures, are so different. If you make a mistake playing for Sheffield United, well, fine, it’s what happens, you’re not expected to win every game.
‘But you are when you’re playing for the bigger clubs. So let’s see how he develops and keep an eye on him. But it’s far too early.
‘So the question: De Gea or Henderson? There’s really only one answer to that.’
MORE: Man Utd send heartfelt message to Pep Guardiola after his mother’s death
MORE: Manchester United join transfer race to sign Valencia winger Ferran Torres
