Schmeichel lauds De Gea

David De Gea's one-handed save in the first half at Sunderland was one of the best ever seen in the Premier League, according to Peter Schmeichel.

The stunning save to his right from United's Spanish goalkeeper denied a powerful header from Emanuele Giaccherini, and prevented the home side from taking a two-goal lead.

It proved to be a pivotal moment. After Giaccherini missed an easier chance before the break, the Reds hit back to claim three points through two superb goals from Adnan Januzaj.

Reds legend Schmeichel described the save, saying: "He's got to look at the ball, follow the ball and he has to readjust and come back. This is for me one of the best saves I've ever seen in the Premier League. And it can prove to be one of the most important moments as well. That could be the kickstart."

Reds boss David Moyes continued: "It was an incredible save. We had been playing quite well but at 1-0 down they managed to spring a few counter attacks on us and David made an incredible save. I said it at half time that David De Gea might have kept us in this game with that save."

The timing and context of De Gea's brilliance - at that stage in the match and on the back of United having lost the two previous Premier League games - was not lost on Schmeichel, who told Sky Sports: "This is six games into a new season under a new manager. If you go 2-0 down there, they could have lost the game. It's an important save."