David De Gea honesty a welcome sight as Manchester United face up to reality

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea delivered a damning verdict of his side’s efforts after Saturday’s defeat away to Everton. It was an understandable reaction, having just watched his team-mates struggle to create chances against a team supposedly devoid of confidence and drive.

“[It is] a disgrace. We are not good enough,” said the Spaniard to BT Sport. “They have more desire than us, that’s not acceptable.”

But emotions are a rarity in modern post-match interviews. Every Premier League footballer is trained, almost from their first days in the academy, at how best to approach media duties.

READ MORE: Only nine Manchester United players might be truly committed in this shambolic squad

Media training is sensible, of course. As in any occupation, football features many unpredictable characters who may not deliver the right message to an audience laser-focused on their responses.

But, having said that, De Gea’s interview after the Everton defeat was a welcome breath of fresh air for many supporters.

Manchester United’s top-four hopes remain on a knife-edge. After Tottenham’s devastating 4-0 victory away to Aston Villa on Saturday, the Reds have a six-point gap to close in the seven remaining fixtures this season.

Saturday’s result at Goodison Park was the latest nadir in a season littered with them, and the fans wanted to see their players come out and accept responsibility. De Gea did that. When you compare the reaction of De Gea to that of Everton’s Fabian Delph and Anthony Gordon, the impact of media training is clear.

Having just recorded a massive victory over one of the biggest clubs in the world, a vital win in Everton’s battle against relegation, Delph and Gordon’s interview was unexpectedly muted. When