Dean Henderson has ‘taken over’ from David de Gea as Manchester United No. 1, says Paul Scholes

Both keepers have their admirers - though both have also made errors this season

Scholes says Henderson has taken over as United’s No. 1 (Getty Images)

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes says a changing of the guard has taken place with the first-choice goalkeeper at the club.

David de Gea has been the long-term No. 1 at Old Trafford, but Dean Henderson’s return to the squad this season after a successful loan spell with Sheffield United has meant greater competition for the jersey.

It is still the Spaniard who has featured more often this term, 29 games to Henderson’s 18, but the England international has played the last three Premier League games and all four of United’s Europa League ties recently.

Scholes believes he has taken his chance to establish himself as the regular first pick going forward.

“I think it’s Henderson now. I think he’s taken over,” he said on BT Sport.

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“I thought David had been lucky after the Everton game to keep his place. He made a couple of mistakes where he could’ve done better.

“Not glaringly obvious mistakes, but I just feel a bit more confident with Henderson there. It seems a little bit more relaxed.”

While 30-year-old De Gea was back on the bench for the second leg against AC Milan on Thursday, there has been no clear indication from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who will feature for the Red Devils in the FA Cup at the weekend, a competition Henderson has, so far, played every game in.

Scholes thinks De Gea will quickly seize his chance if Henderson does slip up again in future - but on the other hand, he feels a good run for Henderson at this time could see him established as first choice for club and country.

“I don’t want to have a go at David, David has been an amazing keeper for United, he’s been brilliant and he still will be if Dean doesn’t take his chance.

“I just think the time has come to give him a run of games in the team and see how he does. He’s been picked in the England squad, and I think he possibly should be the number one for England as well if he can maintain this form.

“He made a mistake in the first game, we know that, but he’s shown great character to come back. Again, he’s been really calm, done everything he needed to do and just been quite safe.”