The 23-year-old Dean Henderson has been in scintillating form while on loan at Sheffield United so far this campaign but the former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel believes it is too early for Henderson to replace the main man David De Gea.
His successful loan spells at Bramall Lane in last two seasons have backed the youngster claiming for a starting spot at Manchester United coupled with De Gea’s several mistakes that has cost the team at some point.
However, the 1999 treble winner feels Henderson is miles off the United shot stopper, who has been in goal for the past eight to nine years, although he lauded the former’s abilities.
“Would anyone seriously consider not having David De Gea in goal and put Dean Henderson in now?” said Schmeichel. “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.”
“I have seen a lot of guys come into Old Trafford with great reputations, goalscorers, and they haven’t been able to do what they promised to do, with performances and talent.
“That’s simply because the pressures at Old Trafford are different, just different, you know.”
He also stressed that criticism could be a huge challenge for the youngster should he be at the Theatre of Dreams.
Schmeichel added on Instagram Live: “Just as an example, 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 and blah blah blah’, because he plays for Sheffield United.
“If he makes that mistake at Old Trafford, for Manchester United, then it’s headlines and it’s all week until he plays the next game, where they question his ability to be the No.1.”
“That’s what the difference is between playing for clubs like United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, then playing for the other clubs.
“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. But it’s far too early.
“So the question: De Gea or Henderson? There’s really only one answer to that.”
