Hend game
Brighton 0 Man Utd 3: Red Devils into Carabao Cup quarters as Dean Henderson puts on another masterclass
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HISTORY repeated itself inside eight days at Manchester United.
And David De Gea will once again have been sitting uncomfortably while watching at home.
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United made it through to the last eight of the Carabao Cup with another three-goal away win, following their 3-0 triumph at Luton.
But once again, almost spookily, goalkeeper Dean Henderson delivered a moment of brilliance to keep his team 1-0 ahead.
And just like the tie at Kenilworth Road, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was thankful for his keeper’s outstanding stop with United then moving up a gear to score a couple of goals.
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Henderson’s outstanding one-handed stop to deny Leandro Trossard not only proved this keeper is one hell of a talent.
But also that he is oven-ready to replace De Gea in an instant the moment he makes mistakes on a regular basis.
Judging by last season, that time could come any time soon.
And the same goes for Jordan Pickford with England even though, for the time being, Nick Pope looks to be Gareth Southgate’s unofficial number two.
Henderson, who arrived at United as a teenager before being farmed to various clubs out on loan, will not forget his United debut at Luton.
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And on a rotten night on the south coast, the 23-year-old proved that his levels of concentration are supreme because for periods - like at Luton - he had little to do.
This skill is the sign of a top keeper, rather than one who makes nine decent saves before conceding a soft one.
Otherwise, this was not a game United fans will care to remember but they will not care if they end up winning their first trophy since 2017.
But they will not do it if they keep playing Odion Ighalo.
He delivered a laboured 79 minute performance at Kenilworth Road and was no better against Brighton before thankfully being taken off after Henderson’s save.
Earlier, he wasted the first decent chance as he rounded Jason Steele but stuck his effort into the side netting.
Juan Mata played the clever pass and it came after an impressive but patient United build-up.
Brighton improved though.
Bernardo caused some problems down the left and their first chance came when Alireza Jahanbakhsh forced Henderson into a low save to his right
Yet a thoroughly disappointing opening half ended with a goal from Scott McTominay.
Mata discovered a burst of pace from somewhere and cruised past Dan Burn before being cynically fouled by the home defender, who deservedly earned a yellow card.
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But Mata got some revenge as his outstanding free-kick was met by McTominay who was allowed a clear run on goal by Bernardo, who appeared to have completely switched off.
The only player anywhere near McTominay was Eric Bailly but he was effectively brushed away by the Scotsman who nodded hoime.
Brighton manager Graham Potter will have been annoyed as his team had defended really well until that moment, when they were guilty of completely switching off.
The fine set-piece from Spanish midfielder Mata also meant he has been directly involved in 12 goals in his last 15 starts for United with four goals and eight assists.
With Brighton improving and United looking subdued - with Ighalo hopeless up front - Henderson delivered that fine stop from Trossard in the 67th minute.
And like that game at Luton, United improved once they brought on the cavalry from the subs bench.
Paul Pogba’s pass was met with a brilliant backheel from Donny van de Beek with Mata steering a shot through Lewis Dunk’s legs.
And the Frenchman sealed the tie with a well struck free-kick which seemed to take a slight deflection off Joel Veltman before hitting the net via the post.
But once again, the man United were thankful for was at the other end.
Henderson has still only played twice for United but he has delivered one hell of a statement of intent.
For the time being at least, we will still only see Henderson play in the next round of the Carabao Cup and maybe the odd Champions League game.
But quite clearly, this is a keeper with incredible self esteem who, putting it politely, is bloody confident.
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Yet he is proving he can walk the walk as well as talking a good game and United’s long-time number one keeper now faces one hell of a battle for his place.
At this rate, Henderson could be United’s new No 1 by Christmas.
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