Gary Neville has given his verdict on whether Dean Henderson should become Manchester United’s number one next season.
The Spaniard came in for criticism last weekend and at the beginning of this week after his error allowed Steven Bergwijn to open the scoring for Tottenham Hotspur on United's return to Premier League action.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defended De Gea this week, claiming the Spaniard remains the number one goalkeeper in the world, but Neville disagrees.
“Ederson and Alisson are better goalkeepers and have been for the last 18 months/two years, but I’d expect Ole to defend his player, of course,” Neville told Sky Sports before United's win against Sheffield United on Wednesday .
“David de Gea, for two or three years, I think was the best ‘keeper in the world, or certainly the best in the Premier League.
“He won the Player of the Year here, and in a very difficult period for United, post-Sir Alex Ferguson, he was a shining light.
“The only player you could have said would go into any other team in the Premier League, or even the world. But since that 2018 World Cup, he’s had a really difficult time.
“What I don’t buy into is the idea that Dean Henderson from Sheffield United, on loan from Manchester United, can just go into that goal-mouth in front of the Stretford End and just deal with the demands of being a Manchester United goalkeeper.
“It takes a special character to actually be able to play in that goal. What I think De Gea has done over a four or five year period, before these last 18 months, is build up a lot of credit where he actually deserves a break and the opportunity to correct and get his form back where it needs to be.
“He’s shown before he can be world class. At the moment, he’s going through a really difficult patch. When a goalkeeper or any player goes through a difficult patch - mentally, it’s really tough - and you’re challenged.
“He’s at one of the biggest football clubs in the world and the scrutiny is on him constantly. There’s no escape at this club. That’s why I’d be a little bit cautious around Dean Henderson.
“That’s a lonely old place out there to make a mistake if you’re a Manchester United goalkeeper. With respect to Sheffield United, it’s very different to make a mistake there.”
Before he continued: “To make that decision, which is a huge call, to say Dean Henderson comes back to Old Trafford, he’s the number one - you’re essentially dismissing David de Gea of what he’s done for the club over the past seven or eight years. I would just urge caution on that at this moment in time.
“I’ve seen it before with players during my time - Peter Schmeichel at the beginning and Edwin van der Sar at the end.
“In between that, there were real challenges for goalkeepers. At times, we had young goalkeepers, who were talented, but found it very difficult to cope with the scrutiny, the levels of concentration that are required.”
Sky pundit Graeme Souness said he believes the "clock is ticking" on De Gea and Henderson should return to Old Trafford this summer to fight it out with the Spaniard to become United's number one next season.
He said: “De Gea was a top goalkeeper for what, four years? He struggled when he first went there. He won Player of the Year there, which is a big deal at Manchester United, because there are some super players there.
"How long do you wait if you’re a manager? The big clubs cannot wait forever. This is the second season he’s been dodgy. We’ve had one game back and we’re talking about him again because of a dodgy goal at Spurs.
"What I’d do is get Henderson back, I think the boy’s got personality. Why put an age on it, if he’s good enough? He’s ready. Get him back. It’s not a case of where it’s black and white, 'come back and be number one forever'.
"He comes back and puts David de Gea under pressure, and if they fight it out between them, if you’re getting the best out of both of them, you’re doing your job. Right now, we’re talking about David de Gea and I think the clock’s ticking on him, I really do.”
