What could have been if Dean Henderson had started Manchester United shootout

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With the seconds ticking down in the Europa League final, Manchester United have two substitutions left.

Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer calls on penalty specialist Alex Telles and then, in a move hailed by United supporters across the globe, he replaces David de Gea with Dean Henderson.

It is the sensible move, the smart move, the move that can win United the trophy. Because few goalkeepers are as confident as Henderson.

He strides onto the field with that cockiness United supporters have grown to love. And he immediately instils that confidence in his tired teammates.

Henderson rallies them, he stares down his opponents, and then he fills the goal; not just with his stature but with his aura.

The goal looks smaller with Henderson standing between the sticks. In contrast, De Gea seems to shrink.

Of course, this didn’t happen. United stuck with the Spaniard and he fell short.

This was a moment crying out for Henderson. Penalty shootouts are as much about the psychological as the physical and the 24-year-old can dominate an opponent in both ways.

He may be young, but he has belief in himself; something De Gea appears not to based on Wednesday’s evidence.

The Spaniard had conceded 25 consecutive penalties prior to the final. Henderson has faced 17 and conceded only nine.

That record alone should have been all the evidence Solskjaer needed.

One change but considerable impact

In bringing on Juan Mata, the United boss influenced one kick. Had he introduced Henderson he would have impacted every single one that faced his team.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. But Henderson was the hero in waiting. Most United fans believe he would have done a better job than De Gea.

To expect Henderson to face 11 penalties and not save any of them is bizarre given his record. He would have also headed onto the pitch knowing all eyes were on him.

Some players would struggle in that spotlight but it could have made Henderson even more powerful.

Solskjaer got a few things wrong in the final. But not picking Henderson for those final vital moments was the biggest.