Dean Henderson has just helped Crystal Palace lift the FA Cup.
On Saturday evening, all eyes were on Wembley as Crystal Palace and Manchester City clashed in the FA Cup final.
Many Manchester United fans tuned in, hoping Palace could deny their local rivals cup glory.
Others had an additional reason, to see former United shot-stopper Dean Henderson in action.
Henderson is one of the finest goalkeepers to emerge from Manchester United’s youth system. Unfortunately, he never managed to establish himself at Old Trafford.
Now 28, he had to look elsewhere for game time, spending years on loan before Palace took a chance on him in 2023, a gamble that has certainly paid off.
Henderson has firmly cemented himself as one of the league’s standout goalkeepers.
According to 2024-25 Premier League statistics, only Matz Sels (13) and David Raya (12) have kept more clean sheets than Henderson, who has also conceded the sixth fewest goals in the competition.
Henderson’s FA Cup masterclass
As impressive as Henderson has been all season, he crowned his brilliance with a masterful performance against Manchester City in the final.
Apart from a close call handling the ball outside the box, Henderson was in top form, making six crucial saves.
One of those saves was Omar Marmoush’s penalty, which could have levelled the game after Eberechi Eze had given Palace the lead.
Late in the second half, he also denied Claudio Echeverri with a brilliant stop.
Remarkably, Henderson became only the second goalkeeper to save a penalty in an FA Cup final (excluding shootouts), following Petr Čech’s feat in 2010.
He also made history as the first Crystal Palace keeper to keep a clean sheet in a major cup final, helping his side secure a famous 1-0 victory.
He was voted Man of the Match, following Kobbie Mainoo, who won it for United last season.
For the second year in a row, the Player of the Match in the FA Cup Final is a Manchester United academy graduate.
The best academy in the country. 🎓 pic.twitter.com/vFnjdCRtpc
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) May 17, 2025
The Independent rated his performance 9 out of 10, describing it as “vital.”
Manchester United’s Regret?
For Manchester United fans who have tracked Henderson’s development, his heroics were bittersweet. They can’t help but wonder why was he ever let go?
A controversial take, perhaps, but seeing him step up against Manchester City raises a legitimate question: could he have done a better job than André Onana at Old Trafford?
There are murmurs that Manchester United could be searching for goalkeeping reinforcements, with concerns over their current options.
Had Henderson not publicly criticised the club for failing to make him their first choice, as they had allegedly promised, he could have been a perfect option for a return.
Either way, it’s great to see him thriving. And if rattling Pep Guardiola at full-time was his way of apologising for criticising the club, then so be it.
Once a Red Devil, always a Red Devil: congratulations, Dean Henderson.
Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images
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Daniel Onguko
Since Dan was introduced to Manchester United in 2008, he has lived and breathed the club. What started as being a fan evolved into writing about United, allowing him to feel part of their journey. Hopefully, his work might even help rekindle your love for the kings of Manchester.
