David de Gea is among the leading contenders for Manchester United’s player of the season.
That tells its own story about how the campaign has gone but Ralf Rangnick will hope his goalkeeper is not too busy in tonight’s season defining game against Atletico Madrid.
De Gea is again preparing to face his former club, on the back of a 1-1 draw on his return to Madrid for the first leg last month.
Another goalkeeper who played for both United and Atletico is Ricardo and he has been speaking to AS in Spain ahead of the match.
He said that de Gea, like his Atletico counterpark Jan Oblak, is one of the best goalkeepers in the world ahead of the game.
“Oblak, although this season has not been so good, he is one of the best in the world.
“He has had three big mistakes, but he has faced more shots than usual and all the goalkeepers have tough times. We are not machines, we are human beings, we can fail.
“David (De Gea) is also one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Without a doubt, it will be a key duel in the match.”
De Gea has saved United numerous times this season and Rangnick will hope that he does not have to do that tonight.
United need a front foot, commanding performance to get Old Trafford rocking and progress to the last eight of the Champions League.
Oblak is not quite on top of his game, and left Anthony Elanga far too much space to shoot into in the first leg to level the match.
Perhaps the tie will be decided by which goalkeeper performs the best and de Gea is having the better season so far, but it would be preferable if United’s attackers were the stars of the show tonight.
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