Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended David de Gea in the wake of heated criticism from Roy Keane.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has launched a passionate defence of under-fire Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea insisting he is still the best goalkeeper in the world. Two high profile blunders either side of lockdown, against Everton and Spurs last Friday night, have put his current form right in the spotlight.

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And the visit of Sheffield United where on-loan stopper Dean Henderson has had a fine season between the posts has encouraged the vultures to circle.

Yet Solskjaer maintained that while he sees Henderson as the natural successor, the on loan Blade will have to bide his time.

“David is the best goalkeeper in the world. He has conceded two goals in the last seven games he’s played for us – including games against Man City and against Chelsea,” he said.

“Two goals in seven games. David has been here nine years and he has developed into a mature keeper - for me the best - and I don’t think it is a bad run when you concede two goals in seven games against the teams we have played against.

“He saved a point for us against Tottenham straight after the goal so mentally he is very strong. I speak to him every day.”

Henderson, who is not eligible to play against his parent club tomorrow, has made it clear that he hopes to succeed De Gea as United’s No 1 and Solskjaer believes he will do just that.

But the United manager made it quite clear that there will be no immediate handover.

“Dean has has had a fantastic season again as he did last year at Sheff Utd. So far he has proven that the loan has worked out how he wanted,” said Solskjaer.

“But it’s a different job to be playing for Sheff United than Man United. They are different roles.

“For me the two years he has had have been fantastic for his development. He has had to play with men, against men in the Championship. behind a team that has played fantastic football.

“He has proven worthy of quite a few points."

Solskjaer added: “He is a passionate keeper who wants to develop. I have said it before that he will be England’s and Man United’s No 1 and it is up to him to keep developing.”

Scott McTominay has pledged his future to the club signing a new deal which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2025 with the option of another year.

“He’s been a part of the club for so long and we are delighted that he can see his long term future here,” said the United boss. “He has the United DNA and he knows what it takes to go through the ranks and he is a leader on the pitch.

“I am very happy that we managed to convince him to be together to work towards winning trophies.”