De Gea can show the world who’s number one.
Tuning into Gillette Soccer Saturday one afternoon I saw the following discussion take place: Jeff Stelling: “United fans are beginning to get on his [De Gea’s] case now.” Paul Merson: “Maybe United need to look elsewhere, somebody like Shay Given.” Neither statement being even remotely accurate.
It’s this sort of nonsense the keeper has had to endure almost since the day he arrived at Old Trafford with questions not only about his ability to handle crosses but also his physique, not to mention being swapped almost regularly for the far less talented Anders Lindegaard.
Towards the end of last year’s campaign, De Gea produced so many stunning saves, it’s difficult to recall them all individually yet that seemed to be all but forgotten by most of the media. once the season started.
Talking of this season, keeping United in the game against Fulham at Old Trafford went largely unnoticed as the media – and even Sir Alex jumped on De Gea’s case for a perceived error that led to Nemanja Vidic’s own goal.
Since then De Gea has endured more criticism, more swapping with Lindegaard and more speculation about his future, yet has managed to handle it all remarkably well, producing some stunning saves and performances along the way. One factor which may have helped, is despite Stelling’s erroneous claim, United fans have lways got behind their young keeper.
The recent games against Real Madrid and Chelsea, not to mention a call up to the Spain squad have gone some way to proving that far from being almost over, David De Gea’s United career is only just getting started and the media, pundits and doubters are left looking a little red-faced.
Is there any doubt over De Gea’s ability to be United’s number one? Have the media been too harsh on him? Feel free to comment suggest and abuse below:
How red-faced will the haters be when he starts WC 2014?? FOR SPAIN.
Maybe we should go for Shay Given. Haha!! The man was on the bottle again.
The Sports Media!! At some point we will awake to the fact that the vast majority of football journalist know little about this game. Their experience is one of a weekend enthusiast. They believe that because they watch matches that somehow translates into football knowledge. No, it simply means they watch a lot of football. I love movies and watch several each week but that doesn’t qualify me to be a film critic. They have no clue what it takes to deal with a ball traveling at 60 mph. They have no clue what it’s like to challenge 6′ 3″ striker for a ball crossed into a crowded box of players. Yet they write and talk as though they do. The smart fan would just dismiss their ramblings as, well, ramblings. I’m a speed reader when it comes to football articles. I look for the words in quotation marks and dismiss the rest. To be specific, quotes from the managers and players and no one else. Quotes from those that know something of what they speak.
I always thought he was going to have a rough start to the Prem. Simply his age ensures it was going to be tough. But I’ve never once doubted he’s heading for great things. I’ve been saying since the signing, in another few years, he will be the best keeper in the Prem.
The English press, most times are just too much of a critics to players who are not brittons, and at same time over hype their players. Am a Manchester United Fan, but i remember 2004, after the Fernabache game, all the English press were saying was ‘here comes the English Pele(W. Rooney)’. This season, J. Hart has on several occassions made a mess of himself, though a world class keeper, but the fact is he has made some blunders this season that the press never question. English press, pls spare us the thrash of undully criticising DDG cos in him we trust
United fans never had any doubt.
Tis the different with the Trafford faithful.
In sir Alex we trust,
UTID
De Gea has been criticized out of proportion.
at his age he has kept a 26 year old Linda…..d at his rightfully place. he will grow to be the best ever goalkeeper who ever lived. Go on De Gea.
The media and pundits alike have been extremely harsh on De Gea.
When he arrived at OT he was lightweight, very young (in goalkeeping terms), & unused to the physicality of the English game, but was one of the best shot stoppers around.
He has since worked on his physic, and got used to being pushed and pulled in challenges. The true fans of United have given him the backing he deserved throughout his tough start, and Sir Alex never lost faith. A lot has been made of the rotating of our keepers, but SAF has simply given him a rest when he’s needed it. Compare this to how he has used Cleverly, Welbeck, Jones & Smalling and anyone could see that this is how he likes to integrate young talent into his team, giving them all lengthy breaks when they need it. He arrived at a very young age, for a lot if money, and an unprecedented amount of pressure. The biggest surprise for me is how he has coped with the pressure & criticism he has received. He has never let his head drop, never let it affect his game and reacted with top performances after mistakes. The pre-match press conference in Madrid showed his maturity. Speaking with confidence, he didn’t get flustered when asked about the criticism he had received in the run-up to that match. He is now displaying the consistency a club like ours needs, and can carry the mantel handed down from Schmiechel & Edwin.
I remember a certain young man called C. Ronaldo who was called a one-trick pony by every ABU in the country. Now they have transferred their tiny intellects to De Gea who is in reality a very good goalkeeper right now and who will be a “great” given a couple of more years of experience. Remember there is only 2 things wrong with the majority of press and TV pundits…and that is everything they say and everything they do!! De Gea knows this and will continue to produce stunning displays even if an occasional slip-up happens (Tell me about a keeper that doesn’t have them and I’ll tell you that your comments are a fraud)
De Gea has shown great character since arriving to Man Utd. I hope he continues to work hard and improve his game. A call up for Spain is a great reward for what has been a positive season. De Gea is still young, so he needs to keep his feet firmly on the ground.
De Gea has been unfairly targetted by the media, but like I said, he has shown great character. The experience is not nice but it will make him stronger, both as a player and a person. The fans need to keep showing their support to him, and to all the young players in the squad.
A core with De Gea, Rafeal, Evans, Jones, Smalling, Clevlerley, Welbeck and Hernandez is growing. We will add Zaha, Powell and hopefully Michael Keane to this group as well. The future of Man Utd is always youth and De Gea is massive part of that now.