Manchester United players' reaction to David de Gea mistake shows a change is needed
"Stopping goals - that is the main job for a goalkeeper." So said Erik ten Hag just 24 hours before David de Gea's most recent blunder. Until last night at the London Stadium, anyway.
Unfortunately for Ten Hag - and perhaps even more unfortunately for De Gea - the Spaniard is no longer quite as reliable when it comes to that 'main' job. The United manager uttered those words a day before his goalkeeper gifted Sevilla their third in the Europa League quarter-final second leg.
That was an error with his feet and there have been plenty of those this season. Against West Ham, it was another mistake with his hands, and a few of those are beginning to creep in as well. Said Benrahma's 20-yard shot was to tame that the home fans were groaning as the ball made its interminable way towards goal. When it somehow ended up in the back of the net the camera cut to the away end and a United fan shaking his head.
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He was probably going through the same internal feelings as De Gea's United teammates. The goalkeeper fished the ball out of the back of his net, but none of his teammates went to comfort him. As the goalkeeper with the most appearances for United maybe they felt he has enough experience to deal with the disappointment. He's also getting plenty of practice at it.
When the ball hit the back of the net Victor Lindelof dropped to his haunches in disbelief, Tyrell Malacia slapped both legs against his thighs in disappointment and Casemiro stood stock still in shock. It was an awful goal to concede after what had actually been a bright start.
De Gea started the season badly and is ending it badly as well. His current catalogue of cock-ups is coming at a bad