Ole Gunnar Solskjaer puts David de Gea on notice by insisting he has ‘TWO No 1s’ right now having chosen Dean Henderson to start against Brighton… but Rio Ferdinand insists Manchester United boss’ tactic does NOT work
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer picked Dean Henderson over David de Gea in goal
- The Manchester United boss said he had ‘two No 1’s’ who are both ‘very good’
- But the decision is seen as another indication that de Gea is on his way out
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said Manchester United have ‘two No 1’s’ after picking Dean Henderson over David de Gea in Sunday’s Premier League clash with Brighton.
Question marks have been hovering over de Gea’s future at Old Trafford, with reports that he will leave the Red Devils at the end of the season.
Henderson has impressed since deputising for de Gea – who returned to Spain for the birth of his child last month – so much so that Solskjaer has chosen him over the Spanish mainstay.
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer chose Dean Henderson to start against Brighton
Henderson was picked over David de Gea (right), suggesting the latter’s time at United is over
Asked what people should read into the fact that Henderson had been chosen over de Gea, Solskjaer told BT Sport: ‘That I’ve got two very, very good goal-keepers.
‘Two No 1’s, simple as. Two No 1’s and that’s it.’
De Gea is United’s highest paid player on a whopping £350,000 a week, but Henderson signed a six-year £120,000-a -week deal last August. At 24, he appears to be United’s long-term option, with de Gea now 30.
Speaking before the match, Rio Ferdinand said the idea of two No 1’s isn’t possible and that de Gea’s position may become untenable.
Solskjaer was cagey about the decision, saying he has ‘two No 1’s’ who are ‘very, very good’
‘If Dean Henderson finishes the season as number one, I don’t see (David) de Gea staying there,’ Ferdinand said on BT Sport. ‘No chance, I don’t see it. I think he’ll go out now.
‘His wages will be a determining factor but at the end of the day, two No 1’s doesn’t work. De Gea has been a mainstay in the team but Ole is maybe seeing things differently now.
‘He’s put Henderson in front of him in the queue. Does de Gea accept that and stay? I don’t think so.
‘David will be supporting his team-mate but when he gets home tonight, his pride and ego will be hurting, and if it’s not, he shouldn’t be here. He’s in the prime of his career and he wants to play every week.’
Rio Ferdinand said there’s ‘no chance’ de Gea will stay if Henderson is now United’s new No 1
Ferdinand added that the pressure was now on Henderson to stake his claim and make the most of the chance Solskjaer has given him.
‘Henderson has been waiting for this opportunity. Now the pressure is on him. Can he live up to the hype? I’m excited for him and looking forward to see what he can do.
‘Solskjaer has seen something in him but he has to perform now. It’s okay being number one at Sheffield United, but it’s a different kettle of fish at Manchester United.’
