Solskjaer backs reliable De Gea
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has backed goalkeeper David De Gea and says the Spain international is as important to his side as ever.
The 30-year-old returned to the starting line-up in the defeat to RB Leipzig on Tuesday, after missing our Premier League win over West Ham United last weekend.
Dean Henderson filled in for our no.1 during that game, as well as in the second half of the comeback at Southampton, as De Gea struggled with a knee injury, suffered trying to keep out James Ward-Prowse’s free-kick – those were the first minutes David had missed in the Premier League for United since the final day of the 2017/18 campaign.
Our four-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year then suffered criticism for his display at Red Bull Arena, along with much of the rest of the side, as the Reds exited the Champions League.
But De Gea is among 10 goalkeepers nominated for the FIFPro’s Team of the Year and the boss has reiterated his support, saying the stopper won’t let what’s said in the media influence his game.
Solskjaer’s press conference
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“I think David is a top goalkeeper, of course I do,” Ole told reporters at his pre-match press conference before the Manchester derby.
“Rightly so, he’s on the lists of being the best goalkeeper in Europe. For me, he’s handled criticism before, he’s handled setbacks before.
“He’s a man that we really rely on, and hopefully he’s not affected by criticism, and I don’t think he will be.
“Every goal that a keeper concedes you’d be disappointed with.”
De Gea is the longest-serving member of the current United squad, along with Phil Jones, having signed in 2011.
He is in line to appear in his 23rd Manchester derby on Saturday and is seeking to help the Reds secure three consecutive league wins over our crosstown rivals for the first time in a decade.
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