Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Saturday was full of praise for goalkeeper Dean Henderson after their 4-0 win over Real Sociedad in the first leg of their Europe League round or 32 in Turin.
“We pick a team on Saturday and Dean was very solid, good kicking and he could or should have had an assist for Marcus, which is another thing we worked on. He was clean in his handling, clean in his short passes and it was a good performance.” Solskjaer said.
“He is maturing all the time but I have a very, very good goalkeeper in David [De Gea]. He saved us against West Brom so I can’t say to you now. I always speak to the players first before I say who’s playing and they will know.” Solskjaer added.
De Gea still has over two years left on his lucrative contract meaning Henderson’s opportunities may continue to be restricted.
Dan James has had a tough time of it at United, but the Welsh winger has been excellent on Saturday’s match. He breaks in at pace from the right flank, carries it into the box, and nutmegs Remiro for the fourth.
“We played well. We were more clinical in front of goal, of course, even though we had a few chances before we got the first one.” Solskjaer said.
“But definitely when we got the second, the game opened up and we found ourselves in loads of space.” Solskjaer added.
United was thus reunited with Europa League, to which they re-enlisted in the round of 32 after being eliminated as third of their group in the Champions League, in a key in which Ligue 1 giants Parist Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig kept both tickets at stake for the round of 16.
Sociedad, fifth in the Spanish La Liga, now need an epick comeback on Thursday next week in the return leg at Old Trafford.
