Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s ‘mistake’ finally paid off despite criticism from Man Utd legend

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Peter Schmeichel says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a “really, really big mistake” by pitting David De Gea and Dean Henderson against each other – but United boss now appears to be reaping the rewards

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Man Utd 3 – 2 Atalanta: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer post-match press conference

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s “mistake” finally seems to be paying off, despite criticism from Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel.

If the Red Devils have kept only one clean sheet this season, goalkeeper David De Gea is back in great shape and reassured fans of his quality.

The Spaniard’s place as Solskjaer’s first choice was in jeopardy towards the end of last season, with Dean Henderson splitting the minutes once De Gea returned from paternal leave.

Legendary former Red Devils goalkeeper Schmeichel said it was a “mistake” to make this a competition between the two goalkeepers, but the battle ultimately turned out to be good for Solskjaer.

Does Dean Henderson have to leave Man Utd? Comment your thoughts below.

De Gea is currently No. 1 in Man Utd (

Picture:

AFP via Getty Images)

Schmeichel told David Seaman on the Seaman Says podcast, “It wasn’t the best situation when Ole announced he had two number one.

“For me, you can’t have a competitive position as a goalie.”

But De Gea was rarely troubled by Sergio Romero as a substitute at Old Trafford, with fans theorizing that the lack of real competition, like Henderson, led the former Athletic Bilbao man to take his eyes off the ball. .

It also reflects how Sir Alex Ferguson leaving De Gea for Anders Lindergaard in his debut campaign saw him improve to become the best in the business.

Henderson has only played once this season (

Picture:

OLI SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)

De Gea, in his 11th campaign at Old Trafford, was one of the Red Devils’ most successful players in a tumultuous tenure, including saving his first penalty since April 2016 in the win at West Ham.

The 30-year-old also made vital interventions in wins over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Villarreal, before making a stunning double save in the 3-2 Champions League triumph over Atalanta on Wednesday.

Solskjaer also called De Gea his side’s best player in a 4-2 loss to Leicester which “said it all” about the game.

Meanwhile, Henderson was watching from the bench, with the 24-year-old already on loan five times since becoming senior.

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Schmeichel suggested that Henderson being English did not help Solskjaer create a “situation that will not go away”, while saying the United boss “cannot make a choice”.

But the former United stopper also conceded that De Gea was back at his best – which surely was Solskjaer’s prerogative from the start?

After all, the Spaniard even returned early for the preseason at the behest of his manager, apparently aware his position was under threat.

Schmeichel appeared to praise United’s defense for helping to improve De Gea’s form, although they were nowhere to be seen when he superbly fended off Atalanta twice with a score of 2 -1.

Schmeichel was denied by De Gea enjoying a battle with Henderson (

Picture:

NurPhoto via Getty Images)

De Gea can still have an error in its directory, but the more consistent it can be, the less problem there is when this occurs.

Take Alisson at Liverpool, whose own mistakes have often been overlooked due to the high standards he operates week after week.

De Gea’s ex-teammate Rio Ferdinand has also hinted that he believes Solskjaer’s decision was the right one.

“His character is the most important factor,” Ferdinand told BT Sport earlier this month.

“There were people who doubted him when he first arrived and he silenced these people, has won countless players for years here. He will be the first to admit that when you look in his eyes , he does not doubt himself.

“I was worried because there was a big push from everyone in the game, the media, saying to bring in Henderson, but this guy would never stop supporting himself.

“He went through tough times and achieved the performances that he has been. Without him against Villarreal and in other games United are not getting any kind of results.”

Schmeichel may think Solskjaer made another mistake in forcing De Gea and Henderson to clash.

But just over a month after the United boss admitted there was still a decision to be made regarding his No.1, he may have found his answer.

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Read more Solskjaer lashes out at BT Sport reporter over ‘disrespect’ of Man Utd. Read more Bruno Fernandes explains what Man Utd stars think of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s work

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