Manchester United once again had David de Gea to thank after the Spaniard produced a moment of inspired brilliance to thwart Brighton.
There is no getting away from it, the Reds weren’t at the races in the first half of last night’s clash at Old Trafford.
Barring a solitary Jadon Sancho strike, Ralf Rangnick’s side failed to register more than one shot on target in the opening 45 minutes against the Seagulls.
United went into half-time level against Graham Potter’s side, but that was due to more heroics from de Gea.
In the 39th minute, Jakub Moder powerfully met a Pascal Gross cross with a thumping header which de Gea managed to acrobatically tip around the post.
Such are the standards United’s number one has set this season, the 31-year-old made the save look routine, but it was a world class save at a crucial time.
The Red Devils went on to win the game 2-0, but if it wasn’t for de Gea, United would have been staring down the barrel and the moans and groans inside Old Trafford would have likely only got louder.
Reflecting on the stop to deny Moder, de Gea told BBC Sport : “It was a great save to be honest, a very difficult one. In that moment it was a big save because we kept a clean sheet.”
The Spanish international was lauded by his interim boss, Rangnick said: “In the last 10-12 games, that has happened a few times.
“Brilliant save from Jakub Moder and that is why we have one of the best goalkeepers in the world.”
Former Manchester United man Mickey Thomas also heralded de Gea’s performance on Twitter.
The social media love didn’t stop there for the former Atletico Madrid man as Bruno Fernandes, Juan Mata and John O’Shea also got in the act.
Mata’s comment translated to ‘What a stop’.
David de Gea moved above Brian McClair up to 13th in Manchester United’s all-time appearances following his 472nd outing last night.
His clean sheet against the Seagulls was his 128th in the Premier League, which brought him level with Peter Schmeichel. No Manchester United goalkeeper has kept more for the club.
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