Football

Peter Schmeichel slams suggestions Dean Henderson is ready to be Man Utd No.1


Dean Henderson’s impressive form this season has strengthened his case to succeed David De Gea at Manchester United.

While Henderson has thrived on loan at Sheffield United, several high-profile mistakes from De Gea have seen his decade-long status as United’s first-choice goalkeeper called into question.

But, for United legend Peter Schmeichel, Henderson has a long way to go before he can even consider the prospect of challenging De Gea for top spot at United, despite the 23-year-old’s huge potential.

Henderson may have kept 10 clean sheets this term, compared to De Gea’s eight, and conceded five fewer goals in the Premier League, but is still not ready for United, according to Schmeichel.

Dean Henderson has been in fantastic form for Sheffield United

“Would anyone seriously consider not having David De Gea in goal and put Dean Henderson in now?” said Schmeichel.

“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.

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“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.

“That’s what you have to deal with. That’s what the difference is between playing for clubs like United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, and then playing for the other clubs.

Peter Schmeichel is considered one of United’s greatest goalkeepers ever

“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.”

Blades boss Wilder publicly criticised Henderson after he conceded a late soft shot from Georginio Wijnaldum, leading to a 1-0 home defeat to Liverpool, last September.

Schmeichel said Wilder may ultimately have done Henderson a favour by publicly admonishing him, suggesting it will help the young England international become mentally tougher.

It remains to be seen whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keeps faith with de Gea or turns to Henderson next season

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“He [Wilder] is a certain kind of manager,” said Schmeichel, speaking on an Instagram Live chat from his home in Denmark, where he has been on lockdown for the past four weeks.

“I like him a lot, I like his way of approaching football. It’s not too scientific and, to be fair, he’s combined old-school with new-school.

“Some managers, in the olden days, they actually criticised their players, and I think it’s just part of it.

“At the end of the day, for someone like Henderson to be criticised publicly, it’s not bad training, if he wants to be the No.1 at Old Trafford.”





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