David de Gea hails Manchester United for spot on response to Euro exit in FA Cup

After the horror of Manchester United’s performance in Sevilla on Thursday, Manchester United needed a response against Brighton and Hove Albion in the FA Cup semi final at Wembley. They got one, winning on penalties after the game ended goalless after extra time.

“It was a very tough game, both teams played well,” said goalkeeper David de Gea. “We created chances, they created chances. At the end we finished on penalties: both teams took them very well with great penalties.”

De Gea was spotted trying to unsettle Brighton during the shootout. “I tried to put some pressure on the last taker and he missed the target,” he explained to Sony Sports Network after Brighton’s Solly March blazed his penalty over the bar.

“I just went close to him and tried to talk with the referee and the player. I said some things. I cannot say what I said to him but I just tried to put a bit more pressure on him.

“Sometimes it works, sometimes not. It worked for that penalty, then Victor [Lindelof] finished with a great penalty and we are in the final.

“We always prepare the pens, but sometimes players know that we prepare the pens and they change [their plans]. I was nearly taking a couple of them, but they took them really well.”

The Spaniard, who United want to keep though on a lower salary than his current contract, made some key saves during the match against an excellent Brighton side.

“Very good team,” said De Gea of the Seagulls. “They know what they do really well. They create some big chances but I made two or three good saves to keep the team in the game. We fought for every ball.”

The mood contrasted with Thursday after the 3-0 defeat by Sevilla in the Europa League. “It was a rubbish performance from everyone,” said De Gea of the