Dean’s also a quality goalkeeper, just not at De Gea’s level. I rate him higher than Lindegaard and Romero, which should say something because those two were good, reliable international goalkeepers, especially the latter. He’s probably fuming that he got Covid at the exact moment he was going to take DDG’s spot, and DDG has once again found his best level which even Oblak, Mendy and Alisson are yet to reach.
For me, he has all the raw materials you’d want in a future Man United goalkeeper, which he showed last season and at Sheffield United, despite one or two mistakes every young goalkeeper makes. Excellent reflexes, tendency to fight for initiative in terms of high balls, decent distribution and a booming voice, which you can tell he uses well from the lockdown games. He’s a born and bred United fan as well, which is always a bonus even if obviously not the most important qualification to become a United keeper.
I can understand why Ole didn’t let him go to Wolves in the summer when he planned to make him the permanent number 1. However, it would be pretty unfair to not let him go out on loan or leave in January now with DDG back to his best, and having a number 3 in Heaton who was Villa’s number 1 just 2 seasons ago. The likes of Brighton, Leeds and Newcastle would take Dean on with open arms, and it would just stunt his development if we kept him here. We just have to ensure we insert a buyback clause if we do sell him, as I do see him as a future United number 1 and he would jump at the chance to come back.