De Gea's save was a sight to behold

The reason the Reds did not fall to what would have been only the Magpies' second Premier League win of the season was down to a moment of sheer brilliance by David De Gea that will live long in the memory, even if the team's overall performance will not.

The Spaniard has pulled several world-class saves out of the bag already this term but this one may be the best of the lot.

Our no.1 had already stopped what seemed a certain second goal by Allan Saint-Maximin, early in the second half on Tyneside, but it appeared from my angle in the press box that the Frenchman may have scuffed his finish a little. Take nothing away from David for keeping it out but the next amazing stop, from Miguel Almiron, was so much better and simply had to be seen to be believed.

Jacob Murphy had been granted too much space inside the box on a couple of occasions and took aim, drilling a drive against a post as everybody connected with the Reds breathed a sigh of relief. However, the danger had not passed as Almiron gained possession on the edge of the box and curled a beauty towards the top corner.

What followed next seemed frozen in time. It was one of those shots that looked destined for the back of the net from the moment it left the attacker's boot.

The Gallowgate End rose as one to salute what could have been a priceless winner for the relegation-haunted Magpies and, in that moment, it was a case of instantly fearing the worst.

Instead, De Gea somehow seemed to anticipate where the ball was going. Writing this in the press box at full-time, I've not yet seen a proper replay but he must surely have been airborne as the shot soared towards the top right-hand corner of David's net. It was some stretch to get his fingertips to the ball and divert it to safety, in the latest addition to his stunning showreel for 2021/22.

How Ralf Rangnick's side needed it, despite Edinson Cavani coming off the bench to score an equaliser, at the second attempt. The Reds were not at our best but will head back to Manchester with a point before preparing for Thursday's visit from Burnley at Old Trafford.

I am privileged to have seen some astounding saves live in my time following and covering the Reds.

The very best is probably still Peter Schmeichel's wonder stop at Rapid Vienna which seems to defy logic every time you see the replay. Yet David continues to be able to make these kind of interventions that arrive in those split moments when you've written it off as a goal against us in your mind. 

For me, this was his top stop of the campaign, despite the competition. 

The game won't be repeated from a Reds perspective many times but that De Gea worldie in the 88th minute most certainly will.

The opinions in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Manchester United Football Club.