DBasia.news – De Gea was criticized by Roy Keane during a draw at Totteham headquarters, and the call to make Henderson as No.1 next season is increasing.
“David de Gea is the most ‘overrated’ goalkeeper I have seen in a long period of time,” said Roy Keane in the first round when Manchester United drew 1-1 against Tottenham Hotspur. Saturday (6/20) AM.
The former Red Devils captain was furious that the Spanish goalkeeper failed to hold off Steven Bergwijn’s hard kick which flew straight at him and, according to Keane, De Gea had made many mistakes.
“I am fed up with this goalkeeper,” he stated. “He is a well-established international goalkeeper.
Is Keane’s criticism of United’s No.1 goalkeeper excessive? Maybe so, but he was hired by Sky Sports because he was a ‘box-office’ figure. He was blunt, he was emotional and he gave his employer what they wanted: more talking points.
United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was even asked about his former teammate’s criticism of De Gea after the match in London.
“Roy is a fantastic midfielder, my good friend, but I’m also not sure he can stop [Bergwijn’s shot],” joked Ole.
“David was disappointed with that but the ball moved in the air. He also made a good save five minutes later, when we had a bad period and they looked like they could get the second goal. “
However, there is no way to turn the story around: De Gea should have prevented Bergwijn’s efforts. Ole can joke all he wants but the 29-year-old goalkeeper is in serious performance problems.
Of course, managers will never openly vilify their chosen ‘shot-stopper’, but this one incident is hard to avoid.
In fact, De Gea continued the performance he brought before football was suspended due to the corona virus pandemic: namely by making mistakes.
He also eliminated two valuable points for United in the pursuit of the Champions League zone in March, when making a blunder against Everton that made it easier for Everton striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin to score.
There was also a disappointing moment to prevent Ismaila Sarr’s efforts in United’s defeat at Watford headquarters before Christmas, as well as a last minute disaster against Crystal Palace in August.
So De Gea’s latest mistake sparked many doubts about him – even without Keane’s harsh words – considering that United had another goalkeeper they were loaning out, and the figure appeared neatly in the Premier League with other clubs.
On Wednesday night, Dean Henderson packed a clean sheet as Sheffield United played a goalless draw against Aston Villa. It was the 11th clean sheet for the 23-year-old player this season; De Gea only managed to pack eight.
What’s more, United’s loan goalkeeper, Henderson has only conceded 22 times in 28 appearances in 2019/20; De Gea has let 31 balls into the net in 33 appearances.
According to the ‘expected goal’ statistics summarized by Opta, De Gea has conceded about one goal more than he should have; Henderson has eight fewer.
Ole doesn’t need to look at the numbers to find out which goalkeeper has performed better this season. He will also be very aware that he has a big decision to make this summer over who deserves to be Number 1.
United should allow Henderson to complete this season’s campaign at Bramall Lane, while Blades boss, Chris Wilder wants to retain the services of the England player for 2020/21, but now Ole seems reluctant to do so.
“Dean has made extraordinary choices over the last few years and has developed fantastically,” Ole stated last week as quoted from The Star.
“We are watching about the connection where he will play next season, but until now nothing has been decided.
“This season has given him an extraordinary experience, he has put himself in the spotlight through his performances and proved that he will be No.1 in England and No.1cin Man United at some point.”
Under current conditions, the “point” can come sooner than expected.
De Gea has been an extraordinary servant to United. He was their best player for three years in a row between 2013 and 2016. He saved his team more than anyone can remember. However, his mistakes has piled up.
United will host the Blades at Old Trafford in the mid of this week in a match that will have a big impact on the race to finish in the top four, and Henderson will not play in this party as his loan rules prohibit it.
It’s important for De Gea have to appear impressively as Keane’s patience is up. If De Gea isn’t careful, Ole will too.