OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has declared Dean Henderson ‘is in with a shout’ to start ahead of David De Gea for the clash against Newcastle on Sunday.
The 23-year-old – who has featured in just three Premier League games for the Red Devils – kept a clean sheet in Thursday’s 4-0 Europa League victory against Real Sociedad.
And United boss Solskjaer has hinted he could be rewarded with his first top-flight outing since the 3-2 victory over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on December 17.
This is despite De Gea earning United a draw away at West Brom last week after making a crucial double save to deny Mbaye Diagne from scoring the winner.
Speaking ahead of the encounter against the Magpies at Old Trafford, the Norwegian gaffer said: “Of course Dean is in with a shout.
“We pick a team on Saturday and Dean was very solid, good kicking and he could or should have had an assist for Marcus, which is another thing we worked on.
“He was clean in his handling, clean in his short passes and it was a good performance.
“He is maturing all the time but I have a very, very good goalkeeper in David. He saved us against West Brom so I can’t say to you now.
“I always speak to the players first before I say who’s playing and they will know.”
De Gea has been subject to criticism over his displays this term, with Gary Neville blaming him for Everton’s late equaliser in the thrilling 3-3 draw earlier this month.
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Fellow United legend Paul Scholes also lambasted his performance against the Toffees, as he claimed the Spanish shot-stopper looks ‘timid’.
Meanwhile Graeme Souness believes it’s only a matter of time before De Gea loses his No 1 jersey to Henderson.
He said: “I’m a fan of Dean Henderson. It’s only a matter of time.
“You look at Sheffield United’s plight, he is the single biggest reason why they are where they are.
“David De Gea is making mistakes, a manager can only tolerate that for so long. If the goalkeeper is making mistakes, it impacts the rest of the team.”
