Lee Grant has announced his retirement from football after four years at Manchester United.
The 39-year-old officially called time on his long career on Tuesday, with his Old Trafford contract expiring at the end of June. While Grant was only able to add two appearances to his tally of 511 during his time with the Red Devils, the goalkeeper had the privilege of experiencing the United camp from a unique perspective, earning his coaching badges while still being in the thick of the action.
Over the last two seasons, the veteran - who will now reunite with ex-Red Devils coach Kieran McKenna as an assistant at Ipswich Town - was an eye witness to one of the Premier League 's most hotly-contested battles, as David de Gea and Dean Henderson competed for the No.1 spot under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and later Ralf Rangnick.
But now new manager Erik ten Hag is preparing to select his preferred stopper, with Grant's verdict worth revisiting ahead of what could be one of the club's most important summers in their illustrious history. After penning a fresh one-year deal 12 months ago, despite the arrival of fellow old head Tom Heaton, the former Stoke City and Derby County stalwart was full of praise of the level of quality in United's goalkeeping department.
"Whether it's David, Dean, Tom, myself, we'll all be pushing to play and excited and ready to support the one that is playing… what we are fortunate with here at Manchester United is that we’ve got four characters that are able to get along and co-exist, which is not always the case," Grant told manutd.com.
"We're fortunate that we are able to do that to a very high standard. What that does allow us to do is to push each other and genuinely and authentically push and challenge each other on the training ground."
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The long-running tussle between De Gea and Henderson reached a turning point towards the end of the 2020-21 campaign, as the latter - then a regular England international - briefly usurped the Spaniard, prompting Grant to offer his analysis.
He praised Henderson, who has been linked with a loan move to Newcastle in recent weeks, for his concentration by saying: "It's hugely important. We like to dominate possession and we like to dominate the opposition so we're not always at the heart of the action. As Dean showed really well on a couple of occasions you have to be ready when called upon."
But not only are De Gea and his understudy impressive 'keepers, young Nathan Bishop is, too. The 22-year-old has spent this term on loan at Mansfield Town and helped the Stags reach the League Two play-off final, proving why Grant was right to be so complimentary.
"I have [been impressed], but not just with [Henderson]. "Nathan Bishop has been outstanding in training and all the lads will tell you the same. David has come back with a really high level so I'm really pleased for David and how he has started the season as well."
While De Gea is nailed on to win the club's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a record fifth time after a stunning individual season and return to world-class shot-stopping form, Henderson is still breathing down his neck. At 25, the Carlisle United youth prodigy needs first-team football, especially in a World Cup year, but will it be Ten Hag awarding him it in 22-23?
