Fulham manager Marco Silva believes David de Gea’s penalty save to deny Aleksandr Mitrovic was the turning point during Sunday’s 2-1 final day Premier League defeat at Manchester United.
It’s certainly been a mixed 48 hours for Manchester United’s long-serving goalkeeper.
First, David de Gea saved his first Old Trafford penalty since all the way back in 2014, preventing Mitrovic from doubling Fulham’s lead from 12 yards moments after Kenny Tete had flicked in an early opener.
That did not stop Erik ten Hag indicating, in conversation with The Times, that the Spaniard’s status as United’s number one is likely to come under threat, however; the Red Devils boss all-but confirming reports suggesting that a new shot-stopper is right near the top of his summer wishlist.
Man United’s spending power will have only been enhanced by an eventual third-place finish; Champions League football on it’s way back to Old Trafford.
United secured third place on final day thanks to a Jadon Sancho tap-in and a clever Bruno Fernandes finish against The Cottagers, with Silva identifying De Gea’s spot-kick heroics when the visitors were 1-0 up as something of a sliding doors moment.
Manchester United secure third with Fulham win
“We didn’t deserve to lose the game,” Silva argues, via Manchester Evening News.
“The game changed completely from that moment (De Gea’s penalty save). We should have reacted in a different way.
“It was a moment for us to show maturity and handle the game differently but we haven’t done that. The game showed again our quality and what we are doing with these players. All season we have to be really proud of what we did.”
According to reports, the likes of David Raya, Andre Onana, Bart Verbruggen and Diogo Costa are among those on Ten Hag’s hitlist. All four, in addition to being fine shot-stoppers, are also renowned for their eye-catching distribution.
“I will not say (De Gea) will always be my number one,” Ten Hag tells The Times. “Because in a club like Man United, there must be competition in all positions. You can’t do it with 11 players.
“(A goalkeeper who can pass the ball) is not what I want. It’s more what top football demands nowadays. If you observe the biggest teams, you have to be capable of playing from the back, and use your ‘keeper as a plus one in your back. Otherwise, it’s very simple for opponents to put you under pressure.
“He (De Gea) had to step up. In a number of games, he showed progression.”
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