MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists he was right to play David de Gea against Chelsea despite the goalkeeper’s poor form.
The Red Devils had taken a 1-0 lead through Juan Mata early on at Old Trafford, but De Gea spilled a simple shot from Antonio Rudiger two minutes before half-time to allow Marcos Alonso a close-range chance to equalise.
It was the latest in a series of errors from the Spanish number one, following blunders in the defeats to Barcelona and Manchester City.
But Solskjaer defended the 28-year-old after the match, telling Sky Sports: “David has been unbelievable for this club. We do support each other. There is no chance anyone can blame him for losing points.
“He knows he could have had that shot but that is football. David is one who likes to play games and I will have chats with him and he will respond in the right way.”
Asked if he should have dropped De Gea for the game, Solskjaer said to BBC Sport: “No. His reaction after City was good and I was confident in him.
“We did the same against City and started well but today we never found our rhythm again. We needed the tempo to be higher, with a higher intensity but we never managed to get that.”
The result leaves the Reds in sixth place – trailing fourth-placed Chelsea by three points and fifth-placed Arsenal by one – with two games still to play.
But Solskjaer is still hopeful of securing Champions League football for next term: “You never know, we felt we needed to win this game. The boys started fantastic, created chances, got in behind and got the lead and then, second half, we never managed to get the quality and tempo back up again.
“It was a good game of football, both could have won it but probably a draw is a fair result.
“They’re probably more happy than we are with the draw. It’s one of those days and we must dust ourselves down and win the next two – you never know as points are being dropped left, right and centre.”
Juan Mata, meanwhile, has stood by his compatriot.
David is unquestionable for me,” he told Sky Sports. ”His level has been fantastic for this club. He’s been the best player over the last years; the amount of points he has saved us is incredible.
“We all have good and bad moments over our careers. For me, the important thing is how to react, and he’s determined to react positively, to do what he does best, which is be the best. I have 100 per cent confidence in him – we all have.
“Today, he is not happy, we are not happy, but tomorrow he will come to training with the best attitude as always. His level, for me, is unquestionable.
“What I can do is give him my honest consideration about the situation. He is obviously disappointed with that goal, but I honestly believe he is one of the best in the world and there is no question about that.
“Everyone makes mistakes, but if you’re a goalkeeper, when you make a mistake, it’s probably a goal. It’s difficult for them.
“But he is strong – he will save many goals in the next games. He’s been the best for us and he has my full confidence, and the team, the manager, everyone who loves Man United.”
If ever a player was entitled to have a bad spell it De Gea. Most consistent keeper in the league for years. He’ll bounce back, as for the rest of them…
@Johnny Mads: exactly, he could do with the other 10 in front digging him out of a hole, he’s done it as Uniteds best player for years.
@Johnny Mads: he has to he fair. He has gained as many points for United over the last 6 years or so as any goalscorer has. He’s an awful form for a while now doh.
@Seaniecp: The man has been top notch. I don’t think dropping him at this stage is the answer. United need to just concentrate on keeping him at this stage. The fans should have no harsh feelings if he leaves this summer.. he’s stuck with them through their worst phase in 30 years and how much worse would it have been without him? The man is class. On top of that everyone wanted him out of the club during his first season. He’s been a pure professional the club and some of the more recent additions could learn a thing or 2 from him about hard work and loyalty.
Spanish Karius
@spodo kimono: one of the best goal keepers In the world for a long time.
@spodo kimono: jeez that’s so original….gimp
@Conor Houlihan: true but then he dropped them two clangers in the CL final.
Saved us so many times, needs to be dropped though
@Leon Mc Gilton: He’s been poor for a long time. He had a shocker for Spain a year ago in the World Cup and he’s never been the same since. It must be double figures the amount of errors he has made this season. It’s time he got a rest. Karius got woeful slagging for a lot less.
@Flaming Mo: yes he hasn’t been up to par but he’s still been insane member the save against Antonio basically won them the game
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: yes also the Spurs game must have over 10 saves. Some were basic but the vertongen flick at the front post was surely up for save of the season.
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: his job is to make saves and he does that better than most but it’s the basics that is letting him down. I remember Reina years ago. He was unreal but like De Gea he started making mistakes and he never got it back.
@Flaming Mo: hopefully he gets back
@Ciarán O Shaughnessy: United fans might not like this but maybe he needs a move to get it back?
@Flaming Mo: Klarius isn’t world class
@Flaming Mo: He was never like De Gea . Say no to Drugs Mo
@Flaming Mo: Romero a good backup
@Flaming Mo: and the rest of the Spanish players had nothing to do with their poor performance?
@Flaming Mo: redeemed himself near the end unlike the multiplier CLOD Karius. Oh what a Karius on that was. Memorable match. Real showed their CLASS that night, Brilliant goal by bale and some comedy too. SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE THAT NIGHT :) even a set piece goal by da pewel(how else?)
@El_Monikerinho: The rest of the Spanish players had nothing to do with De Geas performances. All he had to do was concentrate on his own performance just like he did against Spurs a few months ago and made 15 saves in the 1 game. He night be overworked but that’s no excuse for his shambolic performances lately. Take off the blinkers.
@Flaming Mo: Karius had very little pedigree before. De Gea had been outstanding for years. Even great keepers like Seaman, Zubi wet though rough spells. Romero should be number 1 though right now
Utd fans – ‘De Gea would get into the Liverpool team’
@Beer Belly 0476: Liverpool are one point off Man City with two games to go,in the semi final of the champions league,playing good football,are defending fantastic and all Liverpool fans talk about is Man Utd???????
@John Connolly: all?! First time all week. Anyway it’s a Utd article
@John Connolly: Rojo should have been red carded too, while we’re at it. Could have broken Willans leg
@themansam: but he didn’t so go cry somewhere else little boy
@David Weston: hahaha I’m only repeating what you ladies were on about a couple of weeks ago bud. Holidays are over now kid, you’ll be grumpy enough in the morning after today’s game, so off you pop good lad
@John Connolly: they ate are obsessed. Reminds me of da yolk on the rte site who spewed off about United on every article. AKA SAD ACT.
@El_Monikerinho: what are you on about, ever?
Ps. Loving your use of capital letters though
Worst run of results since 1961. SOLSKJAER good heart but not the head for this gig. Door and a thank you MUST BECKON.
@El_Monikerinho: BS ! He needs to be given time , half of that squad were not brought in to play the way he wants them too
@El_Monikerinho: muppet, the man deserves time to turn it around! A chance to shape the squad to what he wants it to be etc. A glory hunter is what you are, unfortunately though past failures, this won’t be turned around in a season or 2! It’ll take more than Solskjaer to turn it around too, structure of the club is all over the place! Give the man a chance ffs, we don’t deserve top 4 this season, nor have we earned it either and certainly aren’t good enough to compete to win it, time to regroup and start again!
@El_Monikerinho: hahahaha how old are u? U expect instant success with the donkeys he has inherited? The likes of Rojo, Jones, Smalling, Young, Matic, Herrara, Lukaku and plenty more are barely good enough for the likes of West Ham, never mind Man United. A few poxy results only papered over the cracks. Reality is hitting home now for everyone involved with the club.
@Now or Never: Rubbish, remember following them in the 80s so don’t peg that BS at me.
@Flaming Mo: I so would never have guessed that! Blame Mourinho like before, you and the rest. Talking through your arse AGAIN.
@Flaming Mo: The board panicked offering him 3 years, 1 was more than enough with the summer for reassessments. D – . No better than Moyes – or as you called him, The chosen one.
@Flaming Mo: AMAZING how you a supporter of a rival club reckoned Mourinho wasn’t good enough yet Solskjaer is. PLEASE! DO NOT insult my intelligence.
And No criticism for Solskjaer? Poor stuff from him too. WAKE UP FANS. 3 years! He’d be gone at Madrid by now. Only a vast improvement from these utterly DIRE performances next Autumn will do.
I can…#davesaves…..nothing lol