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HEND OF THE ROAD
Stats show how Dean Henderson is far better keeper than Man Utd’s David De Gea in EVERY way this season
DEAN HENDERSON has impressed in his maiden Premier League season with Sheffield United.
And with David de Gea having penned a new Manchester United deal in September, Chris Wilder will be confident of retaining his number one next season on another loan from Old Trafford.
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But is there an argument to be made that the Red Devils academy graduate should overtake his Spanish counterpart between the sticks at Old Trafford next season?
The numbers would suggest so.
In fact, numerically, Henderson would appear to have had a better season that De Gea in every single aspect.
The Bramall Lane loanee has managed nine clean sheets compared to just five from De Gea... despite appearing in a game fewer than the 41 cap Spaniard.
Henderson and De Gea have saved 65 shots each this season - but with the Sheffield United man having faced fewer attempts - it is he that possesses the higher save percentage at 75, compared to 69.15.
A hallmark of De Gea's early United career was his complete inability to deal with crosses.
And while he undoubtedly has improved in this respect, he has made just THREE catches from crosses this season.
Henderson, meanwhile, has caught 12.
The big dream is to play for Manchester United one day. I’ve always had that dream throughout my life so until that’s accomplished I’ll never think I’ve made it. Even if I play for them once I won’t think I’ve made it.
Dean Henderson
Modern goalkeepers are often judged on their abilities to sweep up balls played in behind their defence - enabling their sides to play a high line.
And while Henderson has only done so five times this season, De Gea again falls behind on just three keeper sweeps.
Just because he is doing well at Bramall Lane, however, doesn't mean that his ambitions don't still lie with United.
He told the Kelly and Wrighty show: "The big dream is to play for Manchester United one day.
"I’ve always had that dream throughout my life so until that’s accomplished I’ll never think I’ve made it.
“Even if I play for them once I won’t think I’ve made it.
“I need to play for them 500 times, 300 times, whatever it is, then you can turnaround at the end of your career and say, ‘I made it, I did what I set out to do’.”
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Despite De Gea having persistently been linked with Real Madrid in the past, he seems secure at Old Trafford.
He told the club's website when he signed his new contract: "I am committed to continue repaying the fans for all of the care that they’ve shown me during the good times and the bad.”
So it appears that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have a big decision to make next season.
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