Manchester United

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer relationship with David de Gea 'becoming more strained'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 05 April 2021

Solskjaer relationship with De Gea 'becoming more strained'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's relationship with David de Gea at Manchester United is reportedly growing more strained amid the emergence of Dean Henderson.

The relationship between Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and David de Gea has reportedly become strained amid the Norwegian's goalkeeping dilemma.

De Gea has been the Red Devils' undisputed number one for the past several seasons, but the emergence of Dean Henderson means that Solskjaer is set to chop and change his shot-stoppers until the current campaign concludes.

Henderson won the battle to start against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday evening - a game which Man United won 2-1 - and a recent report claimed that the club are ready to hand De Gea a mammoth payoff to leave the club this summer.

Now, the Manchester Evening News reports that Solskjaer and De Gea do not enjoy a perfect relationship behind the scenes, as when the Spaniard found out that he was to be dropped against West Bromwich Albion on November 21, he voiced his displeasure in such a manner that Solskjaer changed his mind and reinstated him to the first XI.

The report adds that several players in the United dressing room believe that Henderson should be Solskjaer's number one at this point, and the 24-year-old is prepared to seek a move elsewhere if he is not guaranteed regular game time next season.

De Gea has kept nine clean sheets in 24 Premier League appearances this term, and the 30-year-old has not played since February's 0-0 draw with Chelsea - before he was granted permission to return to Spain for the birth of his child.