Ole: De Gea still the best in the world

Dominic Calvert-Lewin pounced on an attempted clearance from De Gea to put the Toffees ahead after just three minutes at Goodison Park, but the Spaniard went on to make a handful of crucial stops during a dramatic game.

Solskjaer was asked about De Gea in his post-match press conference and also about the strength in depth he has in his goalkeeping department with on-loan Dean Henderson impressing for Sheffield United this season and Sergio Romero being an excellent no.2 to De Gea.

“We want the best possible squad for Man United,” insisted Solskjaer. “David for me is the best goalkeeper in the world.

“Dean is a very good challenger and Sergio is a challenger as well. We want a squad that’s full of quality with competition of course and if you want to survive at the top you need to bounce off competition from right, left and centre.

“Dean is our player. He is doing really well at the moment and the day he comes back he’s obviously fighting to play here as well. But for me David showed on Sunday his reaction and the way he made amends and saved that chance from Sigurdsson at the end.

“He went through a difficult patch last season but David has been very, very good this season. I can’t really remember any errors apart from the Watford one. I trust him 100 per cent in the goal.”

When asked further about his defence, Ole pointed to United’s excellent clean sheet record this term, which is actually one of the best in Europe - the Reds have kept 18 clean sheets in all competitions.

He was also pressed on whether Eric Bailly may get more chances to play following his return from injury in February.

“Eric has been out for a long, long time. We have one of the best clean sheets stats in Europe and Victor [Lindelof] has been a big, big part of that with Harry.

“Eric has played well when he’s played and will get more games probably, but it’s important that we get him 100 per cent fit before we demand a game every three days from him.”

Solskjaer also discussed the form of his captain Harry Maguire, believing that handing him the armband has only benefitted the England international, who has taken the role on admirably.

“For me Harry has earned the armband because of the personality he is,” added the boss.

“He’s always known from the day he walked through the door that I’ve looked at him as a leader in this group. Maybe it helps, he’s definitely taken the role on really well and I’m very pleased for him.”

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