De Gea's absence from the Man United squad is 'a private matter': Manchester United manager Solskjaer

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to explain why David de Gea was absent for Manchester United's goalless draw with Crystal Palace.

Prior to the game, Solskjaer said that De Gea was left out of the squad due to 'personal reasons,' and that Dean Henderson would be replacing him between the sticks at Selhurst Park.

Following United's lacklustre performance, the United manager suggest that his side could be without De Gea for a substantial amount of time, but insisted it was a 'private matter'.

When asked about De Gea's absence from the squad prior to the game, Solskjaer told MUTV: 'That's personal reasons.'

Solskjaer refused to disclose any further information after the game when asked when the goalkeeper would return. He told Sky Sports: 'That's a private matter. It'll take the time it takes.'

Solskjaer did, however, say that he was happy with Henderson's performance, saying: 'That's a Man Utd goalkeeper, sometimes you have to keep concentrating. He's growing in that position. I thank him for one point and not zero.'

De Gea's absence at Palace meant just a fourth Premier League start for Henderson this season.

Mostly, he has had to make do with game time in the cups this season. That is not the level of opportunity the England keeper would have expected this season nor, perhaps, what he has deserved.

Henderson - who has ambitions for club and country - will be keen to use the opportunity to prove his worth to Solskjaer.

With De Gea length of absences undetermined, Henderson could start in the Manchester derby on Sunday.