In the aftermath of the Manchester Derby, which saw City emerge from Old Trafford with three points, questions were asked surrounding David de Gea’s form.
Many believed De Gea should have done better for both goals, the first from Bernardo Silva and the second from Leroy Sane, and while De Gea’s poor performances have been a talking point in recent weeks, United’s fans shouldn’t be worried.
De Gea has been United’s outstanding player in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era and the Spanish shot stopper has been picked in the PFA Team of the Year for each of the four seasons prior to this one.
A run of poor results has undoubtedly affected De Gea’s confidence, and unlike his teammates, De Gea has nowhere to hide on the pitch, with the goalkeeping position being most vulnerable role in football.
And although cliché, the line ‘form is temporary, and class is permanent’ more than often rings true.
De Gea finds himself in a similar situation as to when he initially joined United in 2011. Arriving from Spain, a fresh faced 20-year-old had to adapt quickly to the style and pace of Premier League football.
His first campaign in England was marred by frequent mistakes and De Gea found himself in a confidence crisis with fans calling on, then reserve goalkeeper, Anders Lindegaard to start permanently.
De Gea’s calamities plagued the beginning of United’s season and eventually he would lose his starting position.
Although Ferguson’s confidence in his new recruit wavered, De Gea showed bravery, character and spirit to ensure his United career would be a success and to regain the number one spot.
And since Ferguson’s retirement, De Gea has gone from strength to strength and for some pundits and fans he is the best goalkeeper in the world.
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The notion that Lindegaard, although a good player in his own right, should have been starting over De Gea is now unbelievable in hindsight and the Spaniard has long been adored by the United faithful.
If De Gea bounced back from fierce scrutiny at such a young age, while adapting to a new culture and hardly able to speak a word of English, it’s a safe bet he can recapture his form now.
There are issues Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needs to address at United this summer, but De Gea is not one.
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