Paul Ince explains why error-prone David de Gea has ‘become complacent’ and what to do about Manchester United keeper Dean Henderson

What's happened to David de Gea?

For years, he was the only player Manchester United could rely on to consistently perform well - he's won the club's Player of the Year award four times, more than anyone else.

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But in recent times the Spaniard has made a number of errors which are becoming too much of a regular occurrence.

He was at fault for two of Chelsea's goals in United's 3-1 defeat in the FA Cup semi-finals, including dropping a clanger for the second as Mason Mount's tame effort squirmed through his body.

Plenty have had their say on why De Gea's form has plummeted, while talkSPORT's Ally McCoist has suggested the player needs therapy in a bid to rediscover his goalkeeping touch.

However, former United star Paul Ince has his own theory about De Gea.

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Ince told : "My feeling is that De Gea doesn’t have enough, or any, competition. He is totally complacent. Sergio Romero only plays once in a blue moon, but Dean Henderson is waiting in the wings, and the manager needs to create a bit of a challenge and competition at the club.

"Right now, De Gea knows there’s no challenger to him, that he will be the first name on the team sheet, and he’s playing like someone who knows that, too. As a player, if you think you’re going to play every game, it leads to complacency.

"The situation we’re in at the minute is he keeps making terrible mistakes, and keeps getting picked, so you can’t really blame him for not learning. It’s no different between the competition in other areas of the pitch, or it shouldn’t be.

"That’s not to say he’s not still a top goalkeeper, because he is, and he’s saved United from plenty of scrapes in the last few years. But he has to nullify these mistakes, or he risks people forgetting just how good he is, and he risks dragging United down with him."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has come out in support of his player but there's no doubting the United boss has a big decision to make for next season.

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Does he stick with De Gea in the hope that he'll improve or does he make 23-year-old stopper Dean Henderson, who's had a fine two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, his first choice keeper?

Ince is in no doubt about what needs to happen, adding: "I see a lot of people suggesting Romero should come straight in for him now, but I disagree. I can’t see that he has the sharpness and fitness that is needed, because he’s been so long without playing a game.

"For me, Dean Henderson would be the answer. He’s playing well, getting game time, and it’s something which Ole needs to look at.

"He needs to give De Gea that challenge and drive, and this lad could be the answer. Henderson’s got the hunger and desire to get into that top spot at United, too.

"While maybe it’s a case of De Gea signing the massive contract he did, and he thinks his job is done – he’s lost a bit of that hunger. He needs to come out now, fighting, and show us what an incredible keeper we all know he is."