MAN UTD v FC COPENHAGEN END OF DE LINE
Ole warns keeper he faces real fight
BEN STOKES is out for the rest of the summer as he puts family first.
The England star (right) has withdrawn from the squad to play the final
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OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has cast doubt on the long-term future of his No.1 keeper David De Gea.
The Manchester United boss admits he will not be able to keep all of his top-level keepers happy next season, with Dean Henderson returning from a successful loan spell at Sheffield United.
Henderson aims to be first choice at United and Solskjaer (right) wants him to challenge the previously untouchable De Gea.
Spain star De Gea, who has made a string of high-profile blunders this season, is also facing pressure from current No.2 Sergio Romero.
Ahead of tonight’s Europa League quarter-final against Copenhagen, Solskjaer said: “Competition for places here is important and we’re looking to
two Tests against Pakistan and will instead head off to spend time with his family in New Zealand.
Starsport understands he told his team-mates that he would have to support them from afar as he leaves the biosecure bubble and flies to Christchurch.
Stokes has been given permission by the ECB to spend as much with his family time as he needs and it is highly unlikely he will play again this summer.
The Stokes family are a close unit and the serious illness suffered by his father Ged, a former rugby league international, in December during the winter tour to South Africa hit them all hard.
Stokes continued on the tour, while his father remained in a Johannesburg hospital recovering.
Father and son (below) were reunited when the tour returned to Jo’burg for the fourth Test.
Stokes alternated his time between the hospital and the Wanderers where England sealed their 3-1 series
win.