Dean Henderson has six games to stake claim for No.1 spot as David De Gea absence explained

Dean Henderson is set to be given a run of six games to stake his case to be Manchester United's No 1.

The young goalkeeper has played second fiddle to David de Gea throughout the season following his return from a loan spell at Sheffield United.

Henderson's opportunities have predominantly come in the cup competitions despite calls for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to start the 23-year-old more regularly.

De Gea was absent for the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on Wednesday night which allowed Henderson to step in.

It's understood that the English shot-stopper was told before the stalemate that he could start the next six games.

That will include this Sunday's Manchester derby at the Etihad.

Dean Henderson will be afforded a run of games as the Man Utd No 1 (REUTERS)

Should Henderson start at the weekend it will be the first time in his United career that he's been named as a starter in successive league games.

The six-match period will also include both legs of their Europa League tie with AC Milan, a visit of West Ham and the FA Cup tie with Leicester.

Solskjaer opted against speaking on De Gea's absence but  the 30-year-old is undertood to have returned to Spain to be with his pop star partner Edurne, who is expecting their first child.

The Norwegian believes it is best for the United No.1 to remain in Spain until after the international break.

"I can’t really say about David, it’s a private matter," Solskjaer said after the draw at Selhurst Park.

David de Gea is not expected back in England until after the international break (Pool via REUTERS)

"Dean is ready if he’s called upon, you saw that. He kept his concentration.

"I think maybe it would have been called offside [against Van Aanholt] but at the moment I thought that Dean saved us a point because it looked like that was a deciding moment and that was probably the biggest chance of the game, apart from Marcus in the first-half."

Henderson will now be tasked with proving he is worthy of retaining a starting berth.

He is understood to be frustrated with his lack of minutes which is set to dent his Euro 2020 hopes.

Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund have both been linked with the goalkeeper who is desperate to play regularly.