Pranav Nair
Solskjaer urges Dean Henderson and David de Gea to slug it out to be the Manchester United goalkeeper
According to The Mirror, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has opened up on the goalkeeping conundrum involving David de Gea and Dean Henderson.
The United No.1 spot has been a bone of contention all season. It appeared to have hit a tipping point when Solskjaer chose to go with Henderson instead of De Gea against Brighton last Sunday.
“Everyone has ambition to take your shirt.”
Henderson had stepped in during De Gea’s absence last month and kept his position even when the Spaniard returned. All eyes will now be on the Granada game to see who starts in goal for the Red Devils on Thursday.
Solskjaer has now urged both players to battle it out to become the numero uno. He went on to add that he has had discussions with his players as to how he intends to use them but refused to shed light on what was said.
“Every time I try to explain to players why they don’t play in this particular game and what they need to do and what my plans are for them, all those discussions remain private.”
Solskjaer revealed faith in both of his goalkeepers but refused to give away much as to where either of them stands. It is understandable that he chooses to keep the cards close to his chest.
“If it’s Dean or David, I’m very comfortable with both of them to play and I’m very happy that none of them are happy not to play.”
Perform or perish!
The boss believes there will always be competition at a club such as United. He even compared the situation to his own battle for a striker’s spot against the likes of Ruud van Nistelrooy among others.
Solskjaer also admitted that while there is competition, the United goalkeeping department continues to be a close knit group. Competition often brings out the best in some and we hope that will be the case here.
“It’s a healthy competition. The nature of football and there are more quality goalkeeper departments, they are a very tight-knit group.”
After all, as the Norwegian says, players should be selected based on their merit.
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Solskjaer appears to be undertaking an approach that screams for the survival of the fittest. If we are to claim our place under the sun, the club cannot afford to just rest on laurels or past performances.
