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Manchester United: Should David De Gea lose his spot?

By Keith Lisenbee

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: David De Gea of Manchester United stretches to make a save during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andy Rain/Pool via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 19: David De Gea of Manchester United stretches to make a save during the FA Cup Semi Final match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on July 19, 2020 in London, England. Football Stadiums around Europe remain empty due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in all fixtures being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Andy Rain/Pool via Getty Images) /
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Manchester United
Dean Henderson, Manchester United loanee (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images) /

There is viable competition for De Gea’s spot.

On Manchester United’s depth chart, De Gea sits at the top. His back-up, the 32-year old Sergio Romero has started 15 matches this season, all in European or domestic cup competitions.

The Argentine has performed well with a save percentage of 86.2% with 11 clean sheets. His post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed was +1.3, compared to De Gea’s +2.0 in all competitions.

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As Yoda said, there is another.

23-year old Manchester United academy product Dean Henderson has played the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United.

In his first season in the top-flight competition, Dean has a save percentage of 76.2%, which is third best. He also has 13 clean sheets for a club that was newly promoted.

Henderson’s PSxG +/- ratio is +7.4, also third-best despite facing an xG/SoT of 0.30. His loan with the Blades is done at the end of the month.

Competition always brings the best mentally and physically out of elite productive players. Even the genuinely great should not be allowed to assume that their position on the depth chart is a fait accompli.

David De Gea became one of the world’s best by being able to mentally process the signal in the noise of a match leading to physical excellence. His ability to do this has slipped.

Henderson has earned through his play at Sheffield a chance to compete for the top goalkeeper slot at his parent club.

Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp made dramatic changes to their goaltender position because their initial players in that slot did not fit the system. It may be time for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to do the same.

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Should De Gea lose his slot? Yes, if the competition beats him out.

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