Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains decision to select Dean Henderson over David de Gea

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that David de Gea was rotated out of the side against Sheffield United rather than dropped for Dean Henderson.

De Gea has remained United's number one goalkeeper this season despite Henderson's return to the club, but the latter was given the nod between the sticks against Chris Wilder's side on Thursday night.

Henderson made an error in the early stages of the contest to allow the Blades to take the lead, but the Red Devils recovered to record a 3-2 victory over the league's basement side, continuing their excellent away form in the process.

Speaking ahead of the clash at Bramall Lane, the United boss insisted that the decision to start the England international was not a reflection on De Gea's recent form.

"It's one I had pencilled in for him early on," Solskjaer told reporters "I feel Dean is ready as well now to take these games on because he's played well when he's played. David did really well against City, it's not anything to do with that."

Henderson, who starred on loan at Sheffield United before returning to Old Trafford to compete for the gloves, has now started two of United's last three Premier League games.