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There were plenty of mistakes with Manchester United’s 3-2 away loss to RB Leipzig, which ended their Champions League run on Tuesday, from a slow start to wasted opportunities and defensive failures. But could David de Gea’s poor attempt to avoid the third goal cost him his starting job?
The Spanish goalkeeper was not covered in glory with his attempt to block Justin Kluivert’s decisive close-range shot and with Dean Henderson pressing United’s No. 1 long-term, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be ready to make a big decision before United. . clash with Manchester City on Saturday.
Henderson replaced De Gea against Southampton when he was hit and played all 90 minutes in last weekend’s 3-1 win over West Ham. Sky Sports News James Cooper – appearing at the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast – now he believes there is a real chance that the 23-year-old Henderson will get a first-team place for the derby
Listen to the launch of Sky Sports to publish the podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox
“We don’t know who is going to be in goal for Manchester United after what David de Gea did,” Cooper said. “It’s amazing, we all talk about defeat, we talk about Paul Pogba. He came out without a penalty for conceding a goal that no goalkeeper who plays for Manchester United should ever conceive.
“I think that’s the key decision Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to make. If he decides, ‘I’ve given De Gea enough.’ De Gea has played well this season, he really has. But what happened on Tuesday in Leipzig it was unforgivable from his point of view.
“I know Harry Maguire let the ball pass through him and he shouldn’t have either, but you’re talking about a goalkeeper who turned his back on a forward and suddenly you’re three down, not two, and you’re looking down the barrel.
“I think he has to decide what makes his defense more confident. Certainly Dean Henderson seems confident. He has no doubts about his own ability, I am told that he is a very confident person, and has the right goals. to be the Manchester United player. ” England’s number one and number one and everyone around him say he will achieve those goals. “
Drop De Gea a great call
However, trading De Gea for Henderson for such a great game would be a significant moment in Solskjaer’s reign, and a decision that he couldn’t easily reverse in later games. Is it time to move from the De Gea era to the Henderson era?
Solskjaer must weigh that bigger picture before naming his XI, says Cooper.
“This weekend it is a big cry to say that De Gea is not our number one, considering that he has been and the type of money they pay him. It is a very, very important decision,” Cooper said.
“When we come to talk to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, that will be one of the key questions, do you stick or twist? Because I think that in the aftermath of Leipzig the one who got away with it was De Gea.
“Solskjaer couldn’t hide from that. It wouldn’t be like resting or rotating. It would be: ‘that wasn’t good enough.’
“Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s story, and we get to the second anniversary next week, is that he has not wanted to do that, he has endorsed his players like Sir Alex Ferguson did. He has spoken about it before:” I will not criticize them, them I’ll back it up, I’ll do all of those things publicly. ‘
“It would be a very public thing to say, ‘Henderson, you are number one in a great game against Man City’ when, again, the alarms go off and Man Utd cannot afford to lose.”
Launch-to-post preview: Man Utd v Man City preview; Plus Tottenham analysis, Arsenal attack and Liverpool strength in depth
This week in the Pitch to Post Preview Podcast, Peter blacksmith is accompanied by reporters from Sky Sports News James cooper and Ben ransom to discuss the Manchester derby, including whether David de Gea will be eliminated, why John Stones is back on the city side, and how it could all work out.
Your colleague Miguel Bridge is on the line to discuss Crystal Palace vs table tops Tottenham, plus Sky Sports Data Editor Adam blacksmith has the numbers behind From Arsenal attack and Liverpool’s strength in depth, as well as his pitch for what will happen in the Premier League this weekend!
Listen to the launch of Sky Sports to publish the podcast on: Spotify | Apple | Castbox
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