From David to Goliath… From Nervous Teenager to one of the Premier Leagues Finest

Friday 14th November, whilst on international duty with Spain, it was reported that Manchester United’s stopper David De Gea, had suffered a dislocated finger; endangering his prospects of playing in Spain’s next match against Germany and more significantly for Van Gaal, this Saturday’s evening fixture against Arsenal. This will come as a severely bitter blow for United, who have become increasingly dependent on their N01 to bail out their fragile defences. This has been blatantly apparent this season as the keeper has consistently performed stunning after stunning save, enabling Man Utd to stay in games. This was exemplified in De Gea’s match winning performance against Everton at Old Trafford; where the keeper saved a Leighton Baines penalty (who had a 100% record beforehand, registering 14 out of 14 ) however, his penalty save became almost overshadowed in the post-match analysis which was definitely testament to his world class saves in the second half.

In the 92nd minute of that game Osman received the ball with clear daylight of the United defence and unleashed a shot that seemed destined to nestle in the far corner, but somehow De Gea managed to get a clean right hand onto the ball to divert the ball away from danger. Nevertheless better was yet to come from De Gea shortly afterwards where from a Baines delivery to the far post resulted in a 6 yard melee which saw a Gareth Barry effort blocked by Blackett. But his block resulted in ball falling to Bryan Oveido at the edge of the box who struck a cleanly hit half volley bound for the top corner if it was not for the outrageous acrobatic save by De Gea. It is very doubtful that the famous Stretford End has seen a better save. De Gea’s performance was roundly appreciated by the Old Trafford faithful who sang his name at half time and full time. When speaking to MUTV regarding the clubs fans De Gea said “It’s difficult to say something about the crowd. When they sing your name like this, it is unbelievable.” It is clearly visible the mutual appreciation shared by De Gea and the clubs fans, whose efforts and importance to the team in recent times has been recognised by them. Last month De Gea was voted as the clubs player of the month for October, in accordance to his added importance to his side this term due to the frailties of the defenders in front of him, where Van Gaal has had serious problems with injuries and has not been able to field a consistent back line. De Gea has become the only constant and has now cemented himself as probably the clubs most indispensable player.

This was further illustrated after the game against Everton, where Van Gaal had concede that De Gea had saved his team. A far cry from earlier in his Man Utd career where the young keeper was a figure of constant criticisms which began in his 2011 community shield performance where he was considered at fault for both of Man City’s goals. Club legend Peter Schmeichel rushed to the defence of the young keeper stating “I think it is absolutely ridiculous, listening to people already criticising him after one game.” However his performances continued to derive derision by many and in his debut domestic game he was criticised for not stopping Shane Long’s shot. At this point he seemed as if he did not possess the necessary attributes require for Premier League football and in that game his physicality was examined by West Brom a test in which he failed. Jamie Redknapp stated in the post-match analysis that “he needs to grow into his clothes” a correct statement at that point in time where De Gea looked like a tall skinny teenager who did not look physically ready for the demands of the Premier League. It also seemed from a spectators point of view that his defenders did not quite trust him which resulted in a nervousness in the United defence, which rarely ever seen during Van Der Sar’s reign as United’s N01. In 2012 De Gea was eventually dropped by Sir Alex Ferguson after their match against Fulham and now contested a joint role with Lindegaard. Sir Alex’s explanation at the time “The most important thing I am trying to achieve is to give them both experience of the English game,” he said. “They are both young, they do not have the experience of a [Edwin] Van der Sar or a [Peter] Schmeichel, so I am happy alternating them. That’s the policy I am adopting and I am happy with that situation.”

This was Sir Alex’s way of shielding his young prodigy whose ability was never questioned by those at the club who always believed he will develop into a world class keeper. However in 2012 De Gea found a route back into the first team after an injury to Lindegaard, where in 19 games he kept 8 clean sheets. De Gea later cited that a save against then Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata was his defining turning point of that season.

In the 2012/13 season De Gea really began to get to grips with the Premier League producing many outstanding displays including impressive saves against in the opening game against Everton, despite his team losing that particular game. He also was at the receiving end of some criticisms although not as frequent as his debut season, one of these occasions coming over his failed punch which resulted in a Clint Dempsey goal in stoppage time. Former Man Utd player Gary Neville was particularly critical stating that De Gea’s mistake had cost the team 3 points. Despite this error his continued performances throughout that season saw his stock rise and at the end of the season was named in the Premier League team of the year.

David De Gea’s careers trajectory was finally back on track towards the echelon of goalkeeping greats and not even a disastrous 2013/14 league campaign from reigning champions could deter De Gea’s continued rise in reputation, he was at many times United’s saviour and who knows where they would have ended up in the league if it were not for him. This was acknowledged by the clubs fans and David De Gea was awarded with the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, an award for the fans player of the season. This was a deserved reward for a player that has constantly improved and grown in confidence with every match and is now regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the division along with Thibaut Courtois and Hugo Lloris. He is now almost unrecognisable from the nervous and error bound keeper who arrived in 2011 and has grown from a skinny 20 year old who seemed to be dwarfed by the Goalposts to an absolute Goliath who exudes confidence to his team-mates. However there are new fears amidst his contract talks of that De Gea may well move from Old Trafford, a fate that many cannot fathom at this moment in time.