1
Dean Henderson has simply helped Crystal Palace carry the FA Cup.
On Saturday night, all eyes had been on Wembley as Crystal Palace and Manchester Metropolis clashed within the FA Cup last.
Many Manchester United followers tuned in, hoping Palace might deny their native rivals cup glory.
Others had a further purpose, to see former United shot-stopper Dean Henderson in motion.
Henderson is likely one of the best goalkeepers to emerge from Manchester United’s youth system. Sadly, he by no means managed to ascertain himself at Outdated Trafford.
Now 28, he needed to look elsewhere for recreation time, spending years on mortgage earlier than Palace took an opportunity on him in 2023, a chance that has definitely paid off.
Henderson has firmly cemented himself as one of many league’s standout goalkeepers.
In keeping with 2024-25 Premier League statistics, solely Matz Sels (13) and David Raya (12) have stored extra clear sheets than Henderson, who has additionally conceded the sixth fewest targets within the competitors.
Henderson’s FA Cup masterclass
As spectacular as Henderson has been all season, he topped his brilliance with a masterful efficiency in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the last.
Other than an in depth name dealing with the ball outdoors the field, Henderson was in high type, making six essential saves.
A kind of saves was Omar Marmoush’s penalty, which might have levelled the sport after Eberechi Eze had given Palace the lead.
Late within the second half, he additionally denied Claudio Echeverri with a superb cease.
Remarkably, Henderson turned solely the second goalkeeper to avoid wasting a penalty in an FA Cup last (excluding shootouts), following Petr Čech’s feat in 2010.
He additionally made historical past as the primary Crystal Palace keeper to maintain a clear sheet in a significant cup last, serving to his facet safe a well-known 1-0 victory.
He was voted Man of the Match, following Kobbie Mainoo, who received it for United final season.
For the second 12 months in a row, the Participant of the Match within the FA Cup Closing is a Manchester United academy graduate.
The perfect academy within the nation. 🎓 pic.twitter.com/vFnjdCRtpc
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) Might 17, 2025
The Impartial rated his efficiency 9 out of 10, describing it as “important.”
Manchester United’s Remorse?
For Manchester United followers who’ve tracked Henderson’s improvement, his heroics had been bittersweet. They will’t assist however surprise why was he ever let go?
A controversial take, maybe, however seeing him step up in opposition to Manchester Metropolis raises a legit query: might he have executed a greater job than André Onana at Outdated Trafford?
There are murmurs that Manchester United may very well be looking for goalkeeping reinforcements, with issues over their present choices.
Had Henderson not publicly criticised the membership for failing to make him their first selection, as they’d allegedly promised, he might have been an ideal choice for a return.
Both approach, it’s nice to see him thriving. And if rattling Pep Guardiola at full-time was his approach of apologising for criticising the membership, then so be it.
As soon as a Crimson Satan, at all times a Crimson Satan: congratulations, Dean Henderson.
Featured picture Shaun Botterill through Getty Photos
Comply with us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
