Erik ten Hag has sent a clear message to Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea

Something had to give in the goalkeeping department at Manchester United this summer, although you could argue that big decision was at least 12 months overdue. David de Gea stands firm between the posts as Dean Henderson heads to Nottingham Forest to kickstart his career again.

De Gea, 31, has been a mainstay at United for more than a decade now; building on the highs, getting through the lows and surviving the odd damning comment from Roy Keane with microphone in hand. Last season, he emerged from arguably the most difficult challenge presented to him at United.

Ever since he first touched down in the Premier League as a wide-eyed yet supremely talented young goalkeeper, De Gea has been the undisputed number one at Old Trafford. However, in Henderson, a new contender stood there as if to lay down the gauntlet to a seasoned heavyweight boxing champion.

Henderson enjoyed his moments in the early rounds, so to speak, but in the end normal service was resumed with De Gea the man who saw his arm raised. Henderson might come again, perhaps, but the decision Ten Hag made in his first days as United manager, in truth, made the situation crystal clear.

After earning his stripes on loan at Grimsby, Shrewsbury and Sheffield United (twice), Henderson knocked loud enough to be given his shot and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer soon gave it to him in the 2020/21 season. Without universally convincing, he became number one for a short period and, had fate not intervened, might have continued in that position for longer.

Due to start last season as first choice, Henderson was struck down by an untimely, and prolonged, bout of Covid-19 and De Gea took his opportunity with both hands. There was no looking back and Henderson was forced to seek a