1
Former Manchester United academy product Dean Henderson has been named in Sofascore’s Premier League team of the week after a fine performance for Crystal Palace against his former side.
The England international played 29 times for United but was never able to fully break through as his side’s number one goalkeeper.
The closest he got was during the 2020-2021 season when he started 26 times but after developing long COVID that summer, he was unable to start pre-season and David De Gea retained his first team spot for the season.
Henderson went on loan to Nottingham Forest in the 2022-2023 season and joined Crystal Palace last summer permanently.
He has been an ever-present this season, playing all seven games, and was a key reason why United were unable to pick up all three points in the 0-0 draw.
The Athletic described his performance as a “statement” as he won the player of the match award.
According to Squawka, Henderson was also “the first goalkeeper to make 7+ saves and keep a clean sheet against Man Utd in a Premier League game since Nick Pope in January 2020. Based on the quality of the shots he faced, he prevented 1.65 goals, with his seven saves also being the joint most he has ever made in a PL game.”
Dean Henderson was not letting his former side past.
He is the first goalkeeper to make 7+ saves and keep a clean sheet against Man Utd in a PL game since Nick Pope in January 2020.
Based on the quality of the shots he faced, he prevented 1.65 goals, with his seven saves also… pic.twitter.com/KNuFQT6W5K
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 21, 2024
The 27 year old was so vital to frustrating a dominant United side that he was given a score of 8.9 by Sofascore for his titanic effort.
Along with his seven saves, he completed three run outs, sweeping the ball out of danger, made three high claims and also saved five efforts from inside the box from an array of United players such as Alejandro Garnacho, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt.
It is not the first time that United have seen a keeper have a blinder against them but it will sting even more that it is their former academy star.
Current third choice keeper and academy product Tom Heaton also put in an outstanding effort against United back in 2016 when he made numerous fine saves to secure a 0-0 draw for Burnley against his then former side.
United will hope they can have better luck in front of goal when they take on FC Twente in the opening round match of the Europa League tomorrow night.
Feature image Peter Nicholls via Getty Images
