De Gea: We showed massive spirit

Sunday 05 February 2023 09:00

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has been reflecting on the togetherness shown by the Reds in our 2-1 home triumph over Crystal Palace.

After Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford scored in both halves to put United 2-0 ahead, a Casemiro red card after 70 minutes was quickly followed by Jeffrey Schlupp pulling a goal back for the visitors, setting up a dramatic finale in M16.

That meant the Reds had to dig deep to seal all three points, and De Gea was pleased with the effort shown from the whole team that helped us to victory.

Speaking to MUTV, our no.1 said: “It was tough, especially after the red card. I think we controlled the game very well. First half, we scored very early and similarly, the second half, we started really well.

“We scored a second and after the red card, of course, it was really tough. We fought until the end and I think the team did really well. We defended really well because they put players in front. We conceded one goal but I think we won a massive three points today.”

De Gea: It was a team win Video

De Gea: It was a team win

David De Gea highlights the stellar team spirit in the United camp, after our victory over Crystal Palace...

Speaking about Casemiro's dismissal, David continued: “For sure, it’s not easy when we lose Casemiro. Then they start to attack and score a goal with still 15 to 20 minutes to go, so I think we showed massive spirit today and great character.

“The whole team, including the players from the bench, have been amazing. That means we are doing really good things as a team and everyone is ready to play.”

Casemiro will now miss United's next three Premier League outings, which takes him out of contention for our double header against Leeds United as well as Leicester City's visit to Old Trafford in two weeks' time.

However, David is confident that the squad will be able to cope in his absence.

He said: “Of course. We are missing Christian [Eriiksen], Scott [McTominay], now Case, so yeah, it’s a bit tough. They are big players for us. Of course, we have more players. We have a big squad.”

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There was plenty of praise for our new midfield man, after his impressive cameo against Palace.

Perhaps fittingly, the winner was scored by an Academy graduate, Marcus Rashford, on the day when the club remembered the Busby Babes and those who lost their lives in the Munich Air Disaster, ahead of the 65th anniversary of the disaster this Monday.

De Gea added: It’s always emotional, those days. He’s been here at the club all his life and he scored the winner, so it’s great. I think it’s a team win today. I think we’ve been really good, played really good, and we deserved the three points.”

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