Solskjaer accused of making "big mistake" with handling of Man Utd stars

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has claimed manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has made a "really big mistake" with the way he has handled the goalkeeping situation at the club.

Solskjaer has been accused of creating a "competition situation" between David de Gea and Dean Henderson, something which has been detrimental to the side according to the former United shot-stopper.

Henderson enjoyed his first season as part of the United first-team last term after a successful loan stint with Sheffield United the previous campaign.

The England international briefly ousted the long-serving De Gea, who was demoted to the role of 'cup keeper' in place of Henderson who ended the league season between the sticks for United.

Dean Henderson ended last season as Manchester United's league keeper before David de Gea regained his place ( Image:

PA)

Following a disastrous Europa League final penalty shoot-out which saw De Gea fail to save eleven attempts before missing the crucial effort himself, many had claimed the Spaniard's time at Old Trafford was over.

However, following an injury to Henderson which ruled him out of Euro 2020 - before the 24-year-old then contracted Covid, De Gea regained his place as first-choice 'keeper.

A four-time winner of the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, De Gea has restricted Henderson to just one appearance this season - in the Carabao Cup.

Solskjaer's decision to constantly chop and change between the two raised eyebrows last season, but Schmeichel now believes it caused unnecessary confusion.

Speaking to the Seaman Says podcast, Schmeichel explained: "It wasn't the greatest situation to create for himself when Ole announced that he had two number ones.

"For me, you cannot have a competition situation on your goalkeeping position. The one thing you don't want your goalkeepers to do is to go out and prove how good they are.

"You want them to be steady, just do their job like David [Seaman] did, all the way throughout 20 years. Just absolutely rock solid, being trusted by everybody to do that job."

Schmeichel went on to claim that the constant rotation may have caused both goalkeepers to suffer a loss in concentration.

"We know, because we've been in that goal, that we are going to make mistakes that cost goals and mistakes that make us look silly.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Was Solskjaer wrong in his handling of his goalkeepers? Comment below.

Peter Schmeichel has claimed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's handling of his goalkeepers was a "big mistake" ( Image:

CBS Sports)

"But if you have a competition situation and you make a mistake and you then know the other guy will get the chance then I can guarantee you will make the next mistake because your concentration is gone.

"That's what goalkeeping is all about: concentration and being rock solid."

The United legend did explain how happy he is to see De Gea back at his best, revealing: "I'm so happy that De Gea has come back to form.

"They know how to play in front of him, they know what his strengths are and they play him good and he then supports them.

"At the end of the day, it's not really rocket science. But to create that situation was a really, really big mistake by Ole."