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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Milne

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hits back at Roy Keane and Gary Neville over David de Gea criticism

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended David de Gea after the goalkeeper was heavily criticised following the 1-1 draw with Tottenham.

De Gea was at fault when Stephen Bergwijn put Spurs in the lead and he was lambasted on Sky Sports by former United captain Roy Keane at half-time, who said "De Gea is the most overrated goalkeeper I've seen in a long, long time,"

Gary Neville also expressed his concern about the Spaniard's form, saying: "He was the one player United could rely upon for the last four years but he's not the same."

United face Sheffield United on Wednesday evening as Solskjaer's side line up at Old Trafford for the first time since winning the Manchester derby on March 8.

David de Gea has not had his best season at Old Trafford (Kevin Quigley/The Daily Mail)

And speaking ahead of the game Solskjaer said he is still fully behind his 'keeper.

"David is the best goalkeeper in the world," his manager said.

"He's conceded two goals in the last seven game he's played for us. There's two games against City, Chelsea, of course Tottenham, Everton. Two goals in seven games, we've gone on a run not conceding goals.

"The Everton one is a freak one, maybe. This one, he cannot save it.

"He makes great saves, he wins games for us and I still think he's the best goalkeeper in the world.

"David's working really hard. He's not making errors that you see time and time again. He's been consistently working hard in training and I'm very pleased with his work."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still appears to have faith in the player (PA)

There are some suggestions that on-loan Sheffield United goalkeeper Dean Henderson could return to Old Trafford next season and fight De Gea for the No.1 spot.

But Solskjaer added: "It's a different job to be playing for Sheffield United and for Man United," Solskjaer said.

"There's different, how do you say...he's got different roles.

"For me, the two years he's had have been fantastic for his development. He's had to play with men, play against men, he's played in the Championship.

Dean Henderson is likely to return to United next season (PA)

"He's played now behind a team that's played fantastic football and exciting football and, as the stats show, he's proven worthy of quite a few points at this stage.

"He's learning all the time. He's a passionate keeper that wants to be the best so he's developing, he's got good coaching there.

"I think one day he'll be England number one and Man United number one and it's up to him to keep developing."

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