Crystal Palace's decision to stick with Henderson has paid off... as ex-Red Devil vexed old club in 0-0 draw

By Alessandro Schiavone at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United

One-step-forward-and-two-back Manchester United were held to a goalless draw by one of their own yesterday at Crystal Palace.

Erik ten Hag's erratic side found in Eagles keeper Dean Henderson, who joined the Red Devils academy aged 14 without ever getting a proper look-in, an insurmountable wall.

A myriad of saves, including a world-class palm-away at cold in the quieter second-half to dent Alejandro Garnacho's attempt his visiting card in an almost-perfect afternoon.

Sure, Ebere Eze didn't turn the keeper's heroics into three points after failing to convert two cutbacks... free like an Eagle in the box. The ex-QPR starlet first sent Tyrick Mitchell's lay-off into the arms of André Onana before making a hash of Ismaila Sarr's telegraphed delivery after the restart, blazing wide with half of the goal gaping.

Palace supporters are seeing a trend in Henderson's performances as the ex-Man United misfit has been an absolute rock for the south Londoners this term.

And the first 45 minutes were probably his best since he joined the club. He made crucial saves such as stopping Alejandro Garnacho in his tracks with a fantastic one-handed reflex save. And then made the most of his agility and reactivity, using his knee to repel Matthijs de Ligt and his foot to thwart Lisandro Martinez.

Impressively, his counterpart Onana was just as good, getting a strong hand to Eddie Nketiah's low effort before he brilliantly blocked Sarr's follow-up.

While there was a time when youth development was the lifeblood at Old Trafford back in the nineties, it no longer is with more and more players having to prove themselves elsewhere, like Henderson.

And the at-first unpopular decision to drop Sam Johnstone in his favour now seems to have the unanimous agreement of all, fans and club alike.

Given Onana's impressive form this term, nobody in Manchester is ripping their hair out over letting Henderson move.

But of all people, being knocked back by someone you know so well and helped develop into a reliable Premier League goalkeeper is the last thing you want if you already have 99 problems of your own.