David De Gea vs Dean Henderson
Towards the end of the 2020-21 campaign, serious competition broke out between David de Gea and Dean Henderson for the highly-acclaimed no.1 spot at Manchester United.
The English shot-stopper seized his chance as De Gea was left out due to personal reasons, and went on to make 13 Premier League appearances, keeping 5 clean sheets in the process. However. it was De Gea who found himself back between the posts for the ill-fated Europa League final against Villareal, ultimately seeing his spot-kick saved as the Spaniards took home the trophy.
The addition of Tom Heaton this summer, signed as the third choice, seemed to set Henderson and De Gea up to battle it out once again for the top spot in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Dean Henderson in U-23 action
However, it will be the Spaniard that starts in goal against West Ham on Sunday, with Henderson named in the U23 side to face Brighton and Hove Albion just 24 hours ahead of the fixture.
Henderson is still working his way back up to full fitness following an injury sustained at the end of last season that forced him to withdraw from England’s Euro 2020 squad, in a move that saw Aaron Ramsdale promoted.
There is also a return for Phil Jones, as both aim to return to full-fitness.
It remains to be seen just how the pair will be re-integrated into the squad when they have worked their way back into match-condition, and just how much game-time they will be afforded.
For now, De Gea seems the nailed on no.1.