Former England striker Alan Shearer believes the time has come for Dean Henderson to replace David De Gea as Manchester United’s no.1 goalkeeper.
De Gea is under fire after an abysmal display in Sunday’s 3-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea. The Spaniard was beaten at his near post for the first and third of the Blues’ goals, and dropped a clanger when somehow failing to keep out Mason Mount’s long range effort for the second.
The errors are the latest in a succession of mistakes over the past few years, with the 29-year-old seemingly a shadow of the ‘keeper who was once regarded as the best in the world.
His downturn in form comes at a time when Henderson continues to excel on loan at Sheffield United. The 23-year-old has spent each of the past two season as first choice at Bramall Lane and Blades boss Chris Wilder is keen to have him back again next season.
However, Shearer says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should think twice before allowing the Englishman to leave the club again.
“If the goalkeeper makes one mistake, or possibly two, you think you should stick with him,” he said on BBC. “But it keeps happening.
“I think you only bring Dean Henderson back to Manchester United as the number one, or you keep him where he is to keep gaining experience. I think that time has come."
