David de Gea reveals moment he knew Manchester United were going to beat Brighton in FA Cup

David de Gea says he knew Manchester United were going to win their FA Cup semi-final penalty shootout with Brighton when he saw Victor Lindelof step up to take the decisive spot-kick.

The Sweden captain thundered home the winner after Solly March had blazed his effort over the bar. The Wembley outing was only Lindelof's 18th start of the season but the centre-back put in an impressive display to guide a makeshift backline to a clean sheet.

With Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez injured and Harry Maguire suspended, Luke Shaw partnered Lindelof in central defence with Diogo Dalot in an unfamiliar left-back role as Aaron Wan-Bissaka took the other flank.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag praises three players in FA Cup semi-final win

The defence held out for 120 minutes in the 0-0 stalemate and Lindelof ultimately delivered the crowning glory moment. De Gea made a number of crucial stops during regulation time but failed to make a save in the shootout.

However, when March skied his penalty and he saw it was Lindelof up next, he said he knew United were in the final. Speaking to MUTV, De Gea said: “To be honest, I was very convinced, as soon as they missed the penalty - I saw Victor taking the ball, I said 'we won, we won' because he has ice in the veins. He’s so quality with the ball. He did it, he did it!”

De Gea has seen a variety of different back-four line-ups in front of him this season. It was the first time Lindelof and Shaw had partnered each other and their goalkeeper hailed their defensive efforts.

De Gea added: “I know them both well, so I know how good they are, they already show how good they are with the ball, without the ball, great players. Victor’s not been playing so much this season and he played really