Former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele has questioned why the Red Devils did not recall Dean Henderson in January.
Henderson has shone while at Sheffield United this season with the young shot-stopper on loan from United for the duration of the campaign.
David de Gea has been an ever-present for United in the Premier League though has made a number of high-profile errors.
The most recent of which came early on against Everton with De Gea delaying a clearance before striking the ball into Dominic Calvert-Lewis with it rebounding into the goal.
And Steele, who worked at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson, believes Henderson being at the club would have put pressure on De Gea to perform.
Peter Schmeichel agrees with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer avoiding Man Utd risk
David de Gea's Man Utd future in doubt as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer plots Dean Henderson talks
“I wonder whether United should have brought Dean back in January because David needs a challenge,” Steele told FourFourTwo.
“He doesn’t see that with [Sergio] Romero and Lee Grant. Romero has done what he was asked to do – he’s been a number two.
“He’s done a solid and sound job when he’s been asked to play, but I don’t see him as a two who can be a number one, but I do see Henderson like that.
Man Utd bosses ‘have concerns’ over David de Gea after another blunder at Everton
“I could see Henderson coming back and getting a 10-game run. Dean’s doing so well that people are now starting to talk about him playing for England in the Euros rather than Jordan Pickford.
“That’s great for Man United, but the club have big decisions to be made by Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] and Richard [Hartis, United goalkeeping coach] in the next three or four months.
“Having Dean back will bring a massive challenge for David.
David de Gea's poor Man Utd form explained by Ian Wright after Everton howler
"Dean will have had a full Premier League season behind him and he’s proven in the top league and proven at all the clubs he’s played for.”
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted after De Gea’s recent mistake that Henderson will be good to have around the club.
The Norwegian said: "We want the best possible squad for Man Utd and Dean's our player.
"He's doing really well at the moment, and the day he comes back he's obviously fighting to play here as well.
Read More
Today's top football stories on Daily Star
Messi voices disapproval at Barca boss Arteta gives Torreira injury update Ben Foster has Watford fans in tears Arsenal fans slam Jenas
"But David's shown his reaction, the way he made amends and saved [Gylfi] Sigurdsson's chance at the end.
"David's the best goalkeeper in the world, Dean is a very good challenger and then Sergio [Romero, the current No.2] is a decent challenger as well.
"We want a squad full of quality and with competition and if you want to survive at the top you need to bounce off competitions from right, left and centre."
Source: Read Full Article