David de Gea's omission from the most recent Spain national team squad could leave Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick scratching his head over whether to continue playing the goalkeeper.
De Gea's form at club level has been positive for the most part this season, his main attribute of being a top quality shot-stopper coming to United's rescue more times than they would have liked over the course of the current campaign. However, there are clear limitations on his game with the 'keeper often leaving plenty to be desired when the ball is at his feet.
It has been a hugely disappointing effort for United as a collective this term, with defensive frailties constantly undermining their efforts but De Gea has thrived having been called into action more than most 'keepers in the Premier League. Only Leeds' Illan Meslier has been forced to make more saves than the Red Devils goalkeeper this season.
The 31-year-old endured a disappointing few days last week when United were eliminated from the Champions League by his former side Atletico Madrid. The La Liga titans ran out 1-0 winners at Old Trafford to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory following the 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano.
His misery was compounded just three days later when De Gea failed to make the Spain squad for their upcoming games against Albania and Iceland respectively. The shot-stopper has not been seen on international duty since a UEFA Nations League game against Ukraine in October 2020.
Spain boss Luis Enrique now considers Athletic Bilbao's Unai Simon as his number one, while Brighton's Robert Sanchez and Brentford goalkeeper David Raya are also currently ahead of De Gea in the pecking order.
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This could prompt a decision from Rangnick as to whether he wishes to stick with his current number one, or view his Spain omission as a sign of regression and start to blood back-up goalkeeper Dean Henderson. The 25-year-old did briefly enjoy a run of games as United's Premier League 'keeper at the tail-end of the 2020/21 campaign.
Six years De Gea's junior, many members of the United faithful feel that Henderson is the superior option when it comes to playing out from the back and building United attacks. It was widely touted that Henderson would pick up where he left off and start the season between the sticks, but a knee injury followed by contracting Covid-19 scuppered his chances.
Yet to make a single appearance in the Premier League this term, Henderson's first-team minutes have come in the cups. Given United are now out of the Champions League and FA Cup, he'll need to hope Rangnick's patience has worn thin with De Gea to play again this season.
