Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has talked up Dean Henderson ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup tie with West Ham.
Henderson will expect to be rotated into the side for the fifth round clash and Solskjaer was asked about the 23-year-old at his pre-match press conference.
The goalkeeping situation at United will come under scrutiny again after David de Gea’s performance in the 3-3 draw against Everton.
And Solskjaer says he feels Henderson has improved this season, despite not playing regularly.
“Dean has played well whenever he’s got the chance, and he’s matured,” said Solskjaer. “For me, he’s developed his game.
“I know he’s not played as many games as he would have done last season, but you see every game when he plays, and in training, his improvement.
“He’s working hard on a couple of aspects that we’ve spoken about with him. I’ve been impressed with his attitude and work-rate. Of course, he’s, how do you say, he’s not the most patient guy!
“He wants to play every game because he knows that he’ll perform well, so long may it continue, because he’s improved since he’s come here.”
As Solskjaer eluded to, Henderson is ambitious and self-confident. He wants to be United’s number one goalkeeper and backs himself to do the job now.
His return to the club has provoked improvement in de Gea this season but there were two examples of indecisive and weak goalkeeping from the Spaniard on Saturday night.
Henderson should get a run of three games in the side now.
He’d expect to play tomorrow and in the Europa League against Real Soceidad next Thursday.
Between those games comes a trip to West Brom and Henderson’s commanding style in terms of coming for crosses may make him a better bet than de Gea for that game.
That would give Henderson a chance to make the number one shirt his own and give Solskjaer a real decision to make in the weeks to come.
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