In Focus: Will Henderson's safe hands push out De Gea?

Manchester United host AC Milan in the last 16 of the Europa League tonight — and Dean Henderson is set to be given another opportunity in goal at Old Trafford.

The birth of David de Gea’s first child in Spain has handed Henderson, 23, an unexpected chance to stake his claim for the No1 shirt on a permanent basis.

Milan’s visit is likely to be the third of six games Henderson (pictured above) plays in De Gea’s absence — a spell that could prove pivotal as to the direction Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes in the long term with his first-choice keeper.

The situation

For the first time in his decade at United, De Gea, 30, has found himself under pressure from a team-mate.

Although he has managed to keep his spot so far, starting 24 Premier League matches and five of United’s six Champions League games, the Spaniard returned to his homeland for the birth of his first daughter last week.

That gave Henderson the opportunity to face Crystal Palace and Manchester City — and he responded by keeping clean sheets as United drew 0-0 at Selhurst Park and won 2-0 at the Etihad. 

Making his presence felt

Prior to the last week or so, Henderson had only made three league appearances this term — one of them off the bench at Southampton — but he has played every minute of United’s Carabao Cup and FA Cup campaigns.

Unsurprisingly given his excellent form on loan at Sheffield United last season, Henderson has grabbed his latest chance with both hands.

His display in the Manchester derby last Sunday was widely heralded and his quick distribution led to United's second goal, netted by Luke Shaw.

Speaking on Sky Sports, former Red Devils skipper Roy Keane said: "The goalkeeper was excellent. Ole used the phrase 'nice presence about him' and that’s what all the top goalkeepers have.

"I think this kid has got a great chance of being a brilliant goalkeeper for United."

De Gea's drop off

At the start of the season, De Gea appeared to be using Henderson’s presence to push himself to the levels he was reaching three or four years ago.

His form has undoubtedly dropped off over the past couple of seasons, leading to plenty of questions over his spot at Old Trafford.

While he has kept nine clean sheets in the league this term, United are shipping 1.23 goals per game when he starts and there have been shaky moments.

Former United team-mate Gary Neville was critical of the Spain international last month.

The Sky Sports pundit said: "You have to start asking questions about him because the mistakes are coming now. I wouldn't say thick and fast, but they're coming more regularly and they cost points.

"The game-winning saves are coming less, in my opinion, the one-on-one saves are coming less. I think that has to be a question Ole has to answer."

A different pressure

Four league starts, all in empty stadiums, is hardly enough to judge whether Henderson can deal with the pressure of being the club's regular shot-stopper.

As ex-United keeper Ben Foster explained recently, it is no easy task. He said: "When I was at Manchester United all those years ago, I felt like I had the ability — but I definitely didn't have the mentality.

"I wasn't ready for it. But with Dean, nothing seems to faze him."

While his small sample size this season has him down as averaging more saves than De Gea, coming out to claim or punch more crosses and conceding less goals, he has also made one error leading directly to a goal — the same number De Gea has made in 20 more starts.

A poor pass gifted his former Sheffield United team-mates a goal when he played against them earlier this season, showing it has not all been plain sailing. 

Decision to make

Foster added: "When you have got a situation like that it is never going to end nicely. Somebody is going to have to leave and somebody is going to stay and play."

With Solskjaer suggesting De Gea may not return until after the international break, the next four games are Henderson’s biggest audition ahead of a huge decision for United.

Neither keeper will be happy to sit on the bench next season, meaning one of the two is likely to depart Old Trafford in the summer.

Despite De Gea's experience and the four Player of the Year awards he has won in Manchester, strong displays from his ambitious understudy over the next 10 days may make Solskjaer’s choice a lot easier.

With time on his side, Henderson can be the future for England and United, who would hate to see him succeed at a rival club.