De Gea showed great quality & mental strength

It goes without saying that the 2021/22 season was a huge disappointment for everybody at the club, yet the individual prizes remain a part of our history. And the dressing room agreed that De Gea is a worthy winner, having watched him perform consistently throughout a chastening campaign. 

David was also close to winning a fifth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, but he ultimately finished second in the fan-voted poll behind his friend and fellow standout performer Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese no.7 also claimed the Goal of the Season gong, in case you missed the news.

During an appearance on our latest episode of The Debate, which you can watch below, Chamberlain speaks in glowing terms about De Gea’s campaign, saying: “He was brilliant and everybody would agree with that.

“It was one of his best seasons that he's had at the club and what makes it even more special for me, for him and for people involved in the game is the fact that it's come off the back of a season or two when he suffered from so much criticism.

“He hadn't had the best performances, so to be able to bounce back is incredible, when everyone at the start of the season was saying that Dean Henderson might be the no.1 outright and asking ‘what is De Gea's future going to look like?’

“But he came in and absolutely nailed down the position and kept United in game after game. Now he is the Players' Player of the Season.

“It is the award that every player wants to win. Yes, it is great that the fans love you, but if your team-mates love you and value the input that you give the team week in and week out - not just on the pitch but off it as well, behind the scenes, on the training ground and around the group - I think that is the most valued and important thing you can have as a player.”

Former Class of ’92 graduate and FA Youth Cup winner Ben Thornley also appears on The Debate to offer his take on the latest United news. He agrees that De Gea deserves his latest award and points to one afternoon in the Black Country when pressed to name his favourite save from the season.

“There are plenty of saves that stand out but the one that really stands out to me was when we won at Wolves fairly early in the season,” says Ben. “He made a double save that really kept us in the game and there have been so many that you could probably call on, but that is the one for me that I was absolutely astounded at. He has been excellent. I agree that he has shown more leadership, too. 

“Don't forget United conceded four or more in a game on seven occasions and for a goalkeeper that must be really debilitating, and especially when he's had such a tremendous season, but he was the one who constantly looked completely gutted and yet he did come out to face the cameras. 

“I think it is really fitting that the two players this season who have helped us to stagger over the line into sixth place have quite rightly taken the accolades, along with Cristiano Ronaldo.”