Manchester United have a way to go before they need to think about replacing David De Gea as first-choice goalkeeper, club great and former captain Peter Schmeichel said on Tuesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Spaniard De Gea faced criticism after gifting Everton a third-minute lead in a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday when he dawdled on the ball and his attempt to clear was charged down by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and went in off the striker.
"I don't think there is a goalkeeping situation (at United)," Schmeichel, one of the greatest keepers of all time, told Reuters.
"It's ridiculous to talk about that. He (De Gea) made a mistake against Everton, he made one against Watford," added the 56-year-old.
"I worked this game against Everton (as a pundit) and we were clutching at straws trying to find mistakes that he's made and we came up with seven over two seasons," added the Dane, whose son Kasper keeps for Premier League Leicester City.
"You can be the best goalkeeper in the world but if you're not well protected you will concede goals. And at times you get sucked into that and make mistakes. There's no goalkeeping situation."
Immediately after the match, Schmeichel had said the Spain international needed better concentration.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, an old team mate of Schmeichel's, was asked after the Everton match whether De Gea, 29, might face a challenge next season from Dean Henderson.
Henderson, 22, is on loan from United at Premier League rivals Sheffield United where he is having an excellent season. The Blades are currently eighth in the league.
"Henderson has had less than one season in the Premier League," said Schmeichel.
"He plays for Sheffield United, he doesn't play for Manchester United. It is a premature debate to have.
"He's a good goalkeeper but there's a long, long way to go before we need to change the first-team goalkeeper and then look for someone else to come in."
United are fifth overall, three points behind Chelsea, and Schmeichel said if they could 'sneak' fourth place it would be a fantastic season.
Australian Associated Press