De Gea: Crowd was best of the season

Friday 24 February 2023 09:00

David De Gea believes the best home atmosphere of this exciting campaign helped Manchester United to overcome Barcelona and roar into the last 16 of the Europa League.

As the player who stands closest to the faithful, the Spanish goalkeeper is well qualified to compare the levels of support his team receives from the stands.

"It was probably the best [Old Trafford] has been this season," he told MUTV. "From the warm-up and then the kick-off, it's been electric, it's been unbelievable.

"It's always good but even more so today. That's why we scored two goals in the second half. It was great."
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Of course, as magnificent as the supporters were off the pitch, De Gea's team-mates still had to do the business on the pitch and it was a Brazilian duo who delivered the goods as first Fred and then Antony found the net at the Stretford End to see off the star-studded visitors.

"I think they've both been playing really well," praised the keeper.

"Antony, for a couple of weeks, was out with an injury. But coming back from the injury, playing good and scoring the goal, it's great for the team.

"And Fred always deserves all the good things that happen to him because he always works really hard for the team.

"Even when he's not playing, he's always ready to play, giving his best and he deserves [this]."
De Gea himself had to produce a moment of brilliance, to push over a header from Jules Kounde when Barcelona were briefly threatening to regain the lead at 1-1.

"There were not many chances for them but they had one big moment in the second half and I made the save, a big one," he said, when asked about his superb stop.

"I helped the team again so I'm happy but I think the whole team has been magnificent.

"The reaction of the team after being 1-0 down was unbelievable. The second half was nearly perfect. We scored two great goals. I think it was a really good night for everyone."
 
The Reds' no.1 is on the verge of setting a new clean sheets record for the club but he was denied a shut-out on this occasion when Robert Lewandowski beat him - just about - from the penalty spot.

"I just watched a replay of the penalty [decision], it wasn't a penalty," De Gea reflected, feeling Bruno Fernandes was harshly adjudged to have fouled Alejandro Balde.

"He [Lewandowski] made the jump so I had to wait a lot. I was really close to making the save."
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Overall, De Gea felt his side were more than worthy winners, telling MUTV: "I think even in the first half we could have been 1-0 up, we had a couple of chances.

"I think with the crowd, the atmosphere, our players, I think everything was there for us to win the game. As soon as we scored to make it 1-1, I knew we were going to score another goal and we did it.

"The feeling is great. Everyone is ready to play. The people from the bench, they did a great job and it's so good. The atmosphere is great in the dressing room.

"We're feeling really good and we go again on Sunday, try to recover as soon as possible and prepare for the game as best we can."

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