Date: 14th August 2011 at 7:59pm
Written by:
David De Gea

"It's fun to stay at the Y-M-C...."

I’d like to pretend the above comment was an isolated one from a disgruntled fan following the Spanish keeper’s poor showing against West Brom but unfortunately it wasn’t.

The wonderful interweb was awash with silly dramatic statements calling for a 20 year-old making his Premier League debut to be ‘dropped’ ‘sold’ or even ‘released’ by so-called Reds who know more about footballers than Sir Alex Ferguson.

Don’t get me wrong I was as disappointed as any United fan at the ease with which Shane Long scored West Brom’s equaliser and felt De Gea seemed to look a severe liablity for most of the game, but it’s time -as so often is the case after a United game- for a bit of rational perspective.

De Gea made a mistake for the goal and was extremely indecisive at times but that doesnt mean the most sought after young ‘keeper in world football is suddenly bereft of ability. Keepers make mistakes, and it seems some people can’t help but try and appear witty and knowledgable by spouting drivel such as “he’s another Taibi” without realising they appear niether witty or knowledgable merely ungrateful and unoriginal.

I said in an article on this very site when we signed De Gea that the fans may have to exercise a little patience with him and we could well prove why we are the best in the world by not getting on his case if he does take time to adjust.

Although I wasn’t at the Hawthorns friends that were there tell me the travelling United contigent didn’t give the Spaniard any more reason to feel anxious than he already had. There was no booing or chants of “Edwin Van Der Sar” and rightly so.

The next test comes against Spurs at Old Trafford a week on Monday where we’ll see not only if De Gea’s nerves have settled somewhat but how 70 odd thousand United fans treat him should he show signs that he’s still struggling to adapt to life at the biggest club in the world.

I was at the Southampton game when Massimo Taibi allowed Matt Le Tissier’s daisy cutter through his legs and you knew immediately his United career was over. Taibi wasn’t a 20 year-old £20 million signing that had been touted as the best young goalkeeper on the planet.

De Gea’s not had the best start to his United career but I fully expect him to be at Old Trafford for many years to come, winning lots of trophies and keeping many clean sheets. Let’s not forget, the likes of Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic had United debuts to forget.

Given time De Gea will no doubt show why Sir Alex forked out such a large amount for a young player who had no experience of the Premiership. It may be difficult for some of us to stomach and I’m sure there’ll be times when we feel like screaming at the poor lad, but in the words of the great Gary Barlow “we need a little patience.”

Follow Red Flag Flying High on Twitter and on Facebook

 

48 responses to “‘United Should Sell David De Gea’”

  1. FletchTHEMAN says:

    Get off the lad. Lindegaard looked dodgy his first games, as did Schmicks.

    The lad De Gea has played 2 games and won them both. Along the way he picked up his first trophy and won his first game in the EPL. Lad is 100% on english soil. How did he do it? Well for starters, he did it with 2 second half shut outs. Also of note, he did it with smalling, jones and evans in front of him. Arguably a weaker back 4 than the one that has been scored against. So get off the lad and let him settle.

  2. Mr E says:

    Agree sell De Gea said at the start that we should have bought a german Noray Dutch Swedish goalkeeper. Swop with the Stoke Goalkeeper Bovgric.
    Lucky we have a good reserve keeper better start playing him quick.

  3. ChrisW says:

    It’s his first game at OT next week, let’s all get behind him. He’s making silly errors at the moment so it’s obviously a matter of confidence not ability. He needs our support.

  4. Will says:

    Im not gonna mark u, coz i think its foolish and alot of bollox. But if i was a Unitedfan i would rather se Lindergard in the goal, only becourse after De Geas misstake the whole Defenders line looked unsure and lost, just coz they couldent be calm over the goolie.

    If De Gea dont step it up, i think United have a huge problem on their hands. Specially now when almost every starting defender is out.

    LFC 4 Life

  5. DannyD says:

    I had this debate with an Arsenal fan today at work. Quite funny how like many others he slates De Gea when so many Spanish pundits have said that he will be the best goalkeeper in the world in a matter of years. The fact is that the premier league is so much more different than any other league in the world and naturally it will take upto a year to adapt fully to the style of play. I will never agree in slating any player both past or present, other supporters find it easy to slate past or present players, I dont get it! As United supporters it is not in our DNA to slate our own, thats why its called support! Let’s get behind the lad!

  6. George Babs says:

    Classic over reaction!!! This is a young keeper with huge potentia. But he is young and will make mistakes. All keepers make mistakes including VDS and Schmeichel.
    He has the talent he will learn from this and will get better. He is a new country and a new MASSIVE club. This transition takes time. SAF is doing what any good coach will do and backing him. As his confidence improves his game will improve
    His distribution is excellent and his shot bloacking outstanding. He needs to dominate his 6 yard box. This will come only with experience and games under his belt
    In next few years he will be the #1 keeper in the world

  7. Spangle says:

    Have to agree 100%.
    Lets leave it until the end of October at least before we start getting twitchy.
    Anyone remember Schmeichels first season, I think “could do better” was on his end of term report.

  8. JG says:

    I think the ‘United’ fans that are slagging him off are the gloryhunter lot that ruin the image of our club, no understanding of the way in which united shape and develop our team, not just buy it ready made. Reading the comments on here, I’m glad there are sensible fans out there who understand that De Gea is young, pressured and adjusting to a new league. He’s not going to be some overnight miracle kid in goal. Keepers are always remembered for their low points and dodgy moments. I saw this lad pull off fantastic saves in both the CS game as well as the first league game of the season, but that one error for any player is clearly always the be all and end all for the newspapers to pounce on. He will be trained and molded into a fine keeper by the coach and staff, give it some time, we’ve not lost anything as of yet.

  9. Lionel says:

    We do need to give him time but I do think that Lindergaard should play until De Gea gets use to the premier league and then you can make a decision on who should get the full time job

  10. Harold says:

    First i am a madridsta but i love david de gea i watched play at athletico madrid he was outstanding, i think man u should give him time to gel.Those people who think he his dodgy should watch last season match against barcelona the first leg in the league he made 9 outstanding save