Season Review – De Gea

Season Review – De Gea

The 2014/15 season has well and truly come to a close. Chelsea’s dominance saw them rightfully retain the title for the first time since 2010. Southampton’s massive rise under new manager Ronald Koeman has enabled them to stake a claim in Europe next season, after they were seemingly down and out when a majority of their players where snatched away from them in the summer. Leicester City defied huge odds to stay in the Premier League, after sitting at rock bottom for such a huge period of time. 

Although it was maybe not the most exciting season ever, it did produce one or two spectacular, or simply unbelievable viewings. From Southampton’s 8-0 massacre of Sunderland, Steven Gerrard’s final game for Liverpool ending in a 6-1 thrashing, to Charlie Adam’s absolute belter from the halfway-line. 

All in all, it’s yet again been brilliant value for entertainment on all fronts.


Manchester United have had a questionable season, they saw themselves clinch the top 4 once again in Louis van Gaal’s debut season in charge. However, it divides opinion as to whether this achievement should be greatly hailed, with the club spending almost £150 million in the summer.

Over the next few days, ManUNews will be reviewing Manchester United’s season in its entirety, from goalkeeper to manager. Any player that has made over 5 appearances for the first team will be included.

So let’s begin with perhaps the best United player of the season, David De Gea.

De Gea’s future at Manchester United may be in doubt off the pitch, but on the pitch he’s shown nothing but sheer brilliance and commitment. The Spaniard has made his name as one of the best keepers in the world and it’s unsurprising given the fact he single handedly saved United countless times. There’s absolutely no doubt in anyone’s mind that without De Gea, Manchester United may well have failed to qualify for next seasons Champions League.

The 24 year old has continually progressed throughout his career, after a tough start to life at United. It’s fair to say United fans didn’t see a single poor performance from him in the 2014/15 season.

His heroics against Everton earlier in the season really stood out, it was a game United desperately needed to win in order to keep in contention with the other big clubs. 2-1 ahead, United were under severe pressure from the Merseyside club and it seemed inevitable that they would concede. 2 top class saves within minutes of each other ensured United all 3 points, they then went on quite a remarkable run which saw them hold their top 4 spot.

The list of key saves De Gea made really could go on forever, there is simply far too many to mention. His performances did not go unnoticed all season though, as the goalkeeper picked up both of Manchester United’s end of season awards for player of the year. He also had a place in the Premier Leagues team of the year.

Outside of Manchester United, Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas is slowly seeing his glittering career come to an end. It would seem De Gea is the perfect replacement for a keeper with such legendary stature, with Madrid being his place of birth and his girlfriend living and working in Madrid, perhaps it could indicate this move is even more likely.

De Gea’s current deal with United runs out in 2016. Whether or not he will sign a new deal remains to be seen. Different stories come and go everyday in the media, leaving us all a little confused about the situation. With Victor Valdes signing as well, another high class Spanish keeper, it could be a sign that LvG isn’t too confident about De Gea’s commitment. That, or he just wants a stronger depth in the squad. Let’s hope it’s the latter that prevails.

Overall, regardless of whether De Gea leaves, he will go down as an absolutely terrific acquisition by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2011. He would certainly be missed by United, and a big investment would be needed to replace him.

Like many, I believe David De Gea has been United’s player of the season without any shadow of a doubt. I would rate his season 10/10, purely because of how vital he has been.