What Peter Schmeichel had to say about prospect of Sheffield United's Dean Henderson replacing David De Gea as Manchester United's No.1
Peter Schmeichel has dismissed claims that Dean Henderson, the on-loan Sheffield United goalkeeper, should replace David De Gea as Manchester United's No.1.
The Old Trafford legend insists there is no doubt about Henderson's potential, but believes he is not ready to replace De Gea as the Red Devils' first-choice goalkeeper.
Henderson has played a big part in United's success this season, helping them to seventh in the Premier League table - just two points behind his parent club.
But Schmeichel, who won five Premier League titles in goal at Old Trafford, said: "Would anyone seriously consider not having David De Gea in goal and put Dean Henderson in now? There’s no doubt about Henderson’s potential, but he’s played one season at a club who has had an unbelievable run in the Premier League.
"They’ve managed to combine an old-school way of thinking into a new-school way of thinking, staying true to Sheffield United and what kind of club it is.
‘But Henderson will need to show another season, like he’s just come through, and then another one, and another one, in order to convince everyone that he is the right guy.
"There’s a really big difference between being the No.1 at Bramall Lane and being the No.1 at Old Trafford, a really big difference. Even just being a player at those two clubs. The pressures at Old Trafford are different.
“If Henderson makes a mistake – and I can only remember one he made against Liverpool – it’s “oh yeah but he’s young and talented” because he plays for Sheffield United.
"If he makes that mistake at Old Trafford, for Manchester United, then it’s headlines…all week until he plays the next game, where they question his ability to be the No.1."
Schmeichel, speaking on Instagram, added: "That’s what you have to deal with. The pressures, the outside pressures, are so different. If you make a mistake playing for Sheffield United, well, fine, it’s what happens, you’re not expected to win every game. But you are when you’re playing for the bigger clubs. So let’s see how he develops and keep an eye on him.
“So the question: De Gea or Henderson? There’s really only one answer to that.”