David de Gea’s superb form has rendered Dean Henderson’s presence irrelevant at Manchester United, with Paul Robinson tipping the keeper to leave.
Dean Henderson seemed a proper replacement for David de Gea at Manchester United last term when he started a string of games in the Spaniard’s absence. Many even tipped the English stopper to take over imminently from the former Atletico Madrid star, starting from this season.
However, de Gea has turned his fortunes around with some terrific performances in goal, leading to suggestions he might be at his very best form. The Spaniard has started all of Manchester United’s games in the Premier League and Champions League, giving no chance to either Henderson or summer arrival Tom Heaton any opportunity to play.
This season, Henderson has made only one senior appearance, a loss to West Ham United in the EFL Cup. With no cup games on the horizon until the FA Cup run starts, Henderson, in particular, will probably get frustrated sitting on the bench for long periods.
Former Tottenham keeper Paul Robinson suggested this could be an unexpected problem for Manchester United. He states that most people at the club thought Henderson would be the No. 1 this season, only for de Gea to spring up a surprise.
Robinson told Football Insider, “De Gea is back to his best, and when he’s at his best, he’s one of the world’s best. “I don’t think anybody at Manchester United expected it. I think they expected Dean Henderson to be the number one for most of this season.
“[Tom] Heaton was signed in the summer, and after that, I thought De Gea would be allowed to leave in January. Out of the three, I thought De Gea would be the most likely to leave. Heaton is an excellent goalkeeper and would be a very capable number two at United. Neither De Gea nor Henderson would be happy sitting on the bench.”
Furthermore, Robinson tipped the 24-year-old Henderson to depart Manchester United in the January window, searching for first-team football, something he may not get at Old Trafford this season.
Robinson continued, “Henderson’s situation at the beginning of the season gave De Gea an opportunity, and he took it with both hands. He has never looked back. United have a real problem now. I cannot see Henderson leaving permanently because I think he’s the long-term solution for them. It is not an ideal situation having him sat on the bench, though, so I think he’ll go out on loan. Henderson needs to play with a World Cup coming up.”
