Henderson’s job is to keep me happy, says Ole

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said it is not his job to keep Dean Henderson happy at the club.

Henderson spent last season on loan at Sheffield United and won acclaim for the manner in which he kept goal for the Blades as they enjoyed a strong season back in the Premier League.

He returned to Man Utd in the summer with the intention of displacing David de Gea in the Red Devils’ goal.

Although the Spain international keeper continues to have questions asked over his form, he remains firmly in charge of the gloves at Old Trafford.

Indeed, Henderson has featured 12 times this season, primarily in cup competition. He has conceded nine goals and has kept three cleansheets.

Solskjaer’s chief concern, however, is not the happiness of the once-capped England player.

“Any player’s job is to keep the manager happy,” he told the media before the return leg of a Europa League last-32 encounter with Real Sociedad.

“It’s not a bad headache to have. Dean has matured throughout the season.

“The Real Sociedad performance last week, for me, was his most assured.”

Henderson kept a cleansheet as Man Utd ran out 4-0 winners on his Europa League debut, having kept goal in the 2-1 Champions League loss to Istanbul Basaksehir in November.

The 23-year-old, who came through the academy system, has been a professional at Old Trafford since 2015 but has spent much of his time away from the club on loan.

Henderson has had spells at Stockport, Grimsby, Shrewsbury and two years at Sheffield United, and it seems that he has impressed Solskjaer in what few chances he has had not he is back at Man Utd.