Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was full of praise for David De Gea after the 30-year-old saved a crucial last-minute penalty to help secure the three points against West Ham.
The Spaniard has had a difficult time of it over the past couple of years but, after the match at the London Stadium, Solskjaer revealed the keeper’s determination to improve after returning early for preseason:
“He’s come back focused, really determined, with a desire to show who he is. It’s his 11th season and we’ve never stopped believing in him, and it’s important that he also knows that. He came in pre-season and said: ‘I know I’m supposed to be rested but I want to come back early’ and that just shows his determination.”
Supporters on Twitter believe De Gea deserves all the plaudits that come his way after turning around his form:
Put some respect on the man’s name
— Paul Davies (@parallel69_paul) September 20, 2021
My goalkeeper ❤️❤️
— Sunil kumar (@TheRealSunilk) September 20, 2021
Love Henderson but De gea is numero uno. Legend!
— Parag (@Parag96897) September 20, 2021
Top mentality
— ً (@ftblTheo_) September 19, 2021
top top player. top GP!
— Johnas Solomon (@JohnasSolomon) September 19, 2021
DDG to Hendo in pre season! pic.twitter.com/GA4aA901xm
— Lord ஸ்டூயீ (@doom2wick) September 20, 2021
Hopefully this puts to bed the whole Henderson/De Gea argument, De Gea is number 1 end of story.
— M (@mpmanutd) September 20, 2021
De Gea has undoubtedly cemented his spot as the club’s number one again, after losing his jersey to Dean Henderson at the end of last season.
The stats certainly back up the claims that the shot-stopper is back to his best. He has a save percentage of 77.8% in the first five rounds of league fixtures, while his Post Shot Expected goals – Goals conceded metric is second only to Alisson Becker so far this season.
