Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained why he replaced David de Gea with Dean Henderson for their Premier League trip to Sheffield United. De Gea has been the first choice for the Red Devils in the league this term but he had to settle for a place on the bench at Bramall Lane.
De Gea kept a clean sheet against Manchester City last weekend and his absence from the starting XI was not expected.
However, Solskjaer had planned all along to let Henderson play against Sheff Utd, where he spent last season on loan.
"It’s one I had pencilled in for him early on," he said.
"I feel Dean is ready as well now to take these games on because he’s played well when he’s played."
Henderson had only started one previous Premier League match this season but Sheff Utd boss Chris Wilder was not fussed that his former player was selected in goal.
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained his decision (Image: GETTY)
"You will have to ask the manager of Manchester United [why he is playing] and crack on with that," Wilder said.
Sheff Utd are rock bottom of the Premier League with just one point from their opening 12 matches.
But Solskjaer still feels they will pose a threat to his side - who are looking to rise to third place with three points.
“I think they’ve been unlucky," Solskjaer said. "There have been so many tight games and they’ve missed a few chances – sometimes when you’re at the bottom of the league, that happens.
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"As I’ve said so many times, this is a game of fine margins. Sometimes you play a game and it can go either way, and if you’re in the flow and feeling great then you win 1-0 or 2-0.
"When you’re struggling further down in the table, then you’re conceding instead of scoring. I think they’ve been unlucky but they still remind me of the team we saw last season.”
He added: “Well, we’ve had a longer spell preparing for this game than we usually have had this season, so I think the boys have enjoyed the couple of extra days of training.
David de Gea was on the bench at Sheffield United (Image: GETTY)
“Of course, we're going into a very, very tight schedule now with six games in less than 16 days. We know we can't take any risks if there are any niggles.
"There are a couple of little things that we're waiting to see how they react before we pick the squad.”