An intriguing battle between the sticks is set to commence at Old Trafford this season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opted against sending Dean Henderson out on loan for a sixth successive campaign, but instead, to keep him at Manchester United and challenge David de Gea for that number one spot.
Fans have been debating as to who should start the opening day of the season, with the competition looking fierce. Both players kept 13 clean sheets in the Premier League last season, with arguments transpiring around the experience of De Gea, but the exciting prospect that is Henderson.
One figure who has recently weighed in on the selection dilemma is somebody who knows a thing or two about the goalkeeping responsibilities at Old Trafford – Edwin van der Sar.
The club legend, speaking to United’s official site, believes that such squad competition is healthy: “That’s what it’s always been about. When you’re a young player, you look up to the guys who are in the first team. Then when you start training [with them] you start to challenge and start to work hard so you’re ready when that moment comes.
“When you get that chance you need to grab it. Some boys are lucky in that you might win, score or give an assist, or you might be unfortunate and lose a game and then the manager might think it’s difficult to bring you in another time.”
Speaking specifically about both De Gea and Henderson, the former number one had nothing but praise for the two figures. He continued to say: “Of course David has been fantastic. The moment he took over [from me] he has the Player of the Year [Award] many times and he’s been amazing for the club.
Embed from Getty Images“Ole will take a look at how the competition in the team is and which goalkeeper works best with the defence.
“To be fair, I was quite impressed with Dean’s rise with Sheffield, but David has been great for United. He has made some mistakes but I’ve made them myself also, every player makes mistakes.”
As mentioned, it will certainly be a tough choice for Solskajer to make, and Van der Sar has narrowed down the dilemma to the slimmest of margins: “It’s about the moment in which you make them – are they at 0-0? Is your team bailing you out? Could a striker score an injury-time goal so the mistake you made goes into the background?
“I’m sure that David will be the force that he has been for the club and hopefully now with the investment in the right players that are coming in, it’s looking more and more like a competitive squad again to challenge for the honours. I’m sure that those two will push each other to a high level.”
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