Dean Henderson was given a chance against West Ham as he continued his run as Manchester United’s cup goalkeeper.
Henderson now has six clean sheets for the season after a relatively quiet night against an unambitious West Ham side.
The 23-year-old commented on social media after the game, hailing United’s ‘great win’.
Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer talked Henderson up after the game, and discussed the challenges for him to keep his concentration in a game where he did not have much to do.
Solskjaer nitpicked one moment where Henderson could have done slightly better in extra-time, which also sounded like a challenge, to ensure the young goalkeeper keeps on working at his game.
The United boss told the club website: “I always hope our keeper has a quiet night when we play and, most of the time, it’s happened that way. Dean [Henderson] was good in everything he did, apart from a last header when maybe he took his eye off the ball a little bit.
“David [De Gea], as our keeper, has been used to this for years, to keep concentrating and keep your eye on the ball. Suddenly, one moment comes up and you have to make a save. I hope that’s the way it’s going to be for our keepers for many, many years.”
What’s next?
Solskjaer seems to like Henderson as a long term option. The question is over whether the change comes now, or next season, or later down the line.
Henderson will probably get a Europa League start next week, and there is a case that he should continue in goal for the Premier League this weekend.
Playing three games in a row will help Henderson and the defence out, rather than constantly chopping and changing.
West Brom are a team under Sam Allardyce who will try and put the goalkeeper under a lot of physical pressure from set pieces.
This is an area De Gea has typically struggled in, and Henderson has shown so far that he has a strong command of his box.
The clean sheet will help his confidence and despite the difficult breaking West Ham down, the defensive shut out was a big positive for United after conceding three at the weekend against Everton.
- Glazers selling Man Utd shares can be celebrated, but previous sale to Ineos already sets way forward
- What Michael Carrick will have learned from Patrick Dorgu’s latest game as Denmark’s winger vs Congo
- Squad numbers for all 13 of Manchester United’s World Cup stars
- Kobbie Mainoo identifies most important lesson he learned under Ruben Amorim after Man Utd difficulties
- How Manchester United must respond to Manchester City’s bid for Elliot Anderson
- Senne Lammens value skyrockets 150 per cent since Man Utd move, one of the most valuable in the world
- Gordon Strachan shares honest verdict on Tyler Fletcher being called up to Scotland’s World Cup squad
- Man Utd transfer latest: Mateus Fernandes, Elliot Anderson, William Gomes, Bazoumana Toure
- Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2026/27
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
