Schmeichel urges Man Utd keeper Dean Henderson to stay on loan at Sheff Utd for two more seasons before replacing De Gea
LEICESTER CITY star Kasper Schmeichel has leapt to the defence of fellow goalkeeper David De Gea.
The Dane, son of legendary Manchester United No1 Peter, believes Dean Henderson needs to stay out on loan for two more seasons before being handed the gloves at Old Trafford.
De Gea had yet another horror show in the 3-1 FA Cup semi-final loss against Chelsea.
The Spaniard has made a number of high-profile errors since he was awarded a contract to become United's top-earner.
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Many have called for Henderson to be given a promotion after impressing in a two-year spell at Sheffield United.
But ahead of United's must-win clash against Leicester to secure Champions League football, Foxes star Schmeichel backed De Gea.
He told Sky Sports: "It can be very difficult and you've got to remember, and this is with absolutely no disrespect to journalists or pundits, but you've actually never stood in that goal.
"You would classify things as mistakes or errors, and there are things that are glaring sometimes, but often this narrative can be created around a goalkeeper because it's the pundits' and journalists' job to educate and that's their job.
"They're telling their educated opinions about goalkeeping, things like hand positions, feet positions, technical things which sometimes is quite damaging to a goalkeeper.
"You hear comments like, 'going with the wrong hand', or other throw away things that they'll say which will make the consumer or viewer think, 'oh yeah, that's right, I see he's done it again'.
I hope for him, he gets another season, maybe two at Sheffield United and play the way he's done and then he'll be ready. But for now, David de Gea is still a world-class goalkeeper.
"That's sometimes quite a dangerous narrative because all of a sudden it starts building momentum and for someone like David, I really feel for him because he has been unbelievable for so many years and every goalkeeper goes through periods [of poor form].
"There is a lot of pressure also in the sense that you now have an England goalkeeper coming through and, like it or not, in this country when you have an English goalkeeper, that means so much and they really do tend to build them up.
"I genuinely hope for someone like Dean Henderson, who's had an amazing season, that he can be allowed to develop.
"I hope for him, he gets another season, maybe two at Sheffield United and play the way he's done and then he'll be ready.
"But for now, David de Gea is still a world-class goalkeeper. It's a lonely position and those are the margins you play in as a goalkeeper – you simply cannot make mistakes because you will be punished."
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De Gea, who joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011, overtook Peter Schmeichel as the overseas player with the most appearances for the Red Devils earlier this month.
And Kasper echoed the thoughts of John Barnes, who argued that Henderson's mistakes are not as highlighted as his Spanish counterpart.
The 23-year-old notably conceding a late winner to Liverpool earlier in the season when Georginio Wijnaldum's shot slipped through his fingertips.
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