The Nation Newspaper

Tag: David de Gea

  • David de Gea considering retirement as offers reduce

    David de Gea considering retirement as offers reduce

    Spanish international David de Dea is considering retirement in the coming weeks following his exit from Manchester United.

    The veteran goalkeeper opted to end his time in Manchester at the end of June with the Premier League giants opting against keeping him at Old Trafford.

    De Gea had remained as the No.1 choice under Erik ten Hag last season, but the Dutch coach was open with his plan to look for a replacement, with Andre Onana arriving as a summer reinforcement.

    Read Also: David de Gea too good to lose for United, says McCarthy

    Following his move away from ten Hag’s side, de Gea reportedly rejected a move to Saudi Arabia, with interest from La Liga not formalising into a free transfer offer.

    With the situation unresolved, reports from The Guardian claim de Gea is ready to call time on his career, if he is not offered a first choice place at a new team.

    The 33-year-old will make a final decision before the end of 2023.

  • Manchester United beat AC Milan on penalties in Cardiff

    Manchester United beat AC Milan 5-4 on penalties after their International Champions Cup match in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium ended 2-2 in regulation time on Saturday.

    United opened the scoring in their final pre-season match through Marcus Rashford, who took advantage of Milan’s high backline to make a run into space to collect Nemanja Matic’s long ball.

    The 21-year-old cut back into the box and dribbled past two defenders before firing a right-footed shot past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma into the bottom corner with the help of a deflection off Milan captain Alessio Romagnoli’s heel.

    However, their lead lasted only 12 minutes when Milan’s high press allowed the Italian side to win the ball back in the final third when United tried to play out from the back.

    Matic lost possession a few yards outside his own box and the ball eventually fell to midfielder Suso, who took a shot from range to beat a diving David de Gea and made it 1-1.

    The former Liverpool player then created the second goal when he whipped in a cross from a short corner, with Samu Castillejo’s header deflected into the net off United centre back Victor Lindelof.

    Substitute Jesse Lingard scored the equaliser, when set up by a through ball from Anthony Martial, with a low shot from an acute angle to send the game into a penalty shootout.

    Read Also: Ex-Man United defender Evra announces retirement

    It was all square at 4-4 in the shootout when De Gea saved Daniel Maldini’s effort, after which new recruit Daniel James scored the decisive spot kick to give United the win.

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side begin their new Premier League campaign next Sunday when they host Chelsea.

    NAN

     

    Read Also: Cardiff City relegated from Premier League

  • De Gea to start for Man United at Huddersfield – Solskjaer

    David De Gea will start for Manchester United at Huddersfield on Sunday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has confirmed.

    De Gea will play after No. 2 keeper Sergio Romero suffered an injury in training, removing a potential selection headache for United manager Solskjaer.

    The Spain international has made mistakes in his last five games, including a high-profile error during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, but Solskjaer’s possible selection dilemma no longer applies after Romero picked up a knee problem.

    “He [De Gea] will play,” Solskjaer told a news conference on Friday

    “Sergio was injured on Thursday so didn’t train, tweaked his knee, and David has been training well this week.

    “David is confident and looking forward to the next two games. He wants to prove how good a goalkeeper he is. He has got all my confidence.”

    De Gea is one of a number of senior United players whose futures are uncertain as the season comes to a conclusion.

    He will enter the final year of his contract in the summer, and has been linked with a £90 million move to Paris Saint-Germain.

    There are also doubts about Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly, while Ander Herrera and Antonio Valencia are set to leave on free transfers.

    Solskjaer’s overhaul will be complicated if United are consigned to the Europa League — a fate that could be confirmed this weekend — but he is convinced the club will remain attractive to potential signings even without Champions League football.

    “In the long-term planning we have to think about being in the Champions League next year because we’ve got a chance,” he said.

    “We might not be, and you’d be surprised how many players’ agents have been touting their players, telling us that their players would love to be a part of Man United in the future.

    Read Also: De Gea fumbles as Man. United hold Chelsea

    “That’s the lure of Man United, because they know the potential and size of the club.

    “Yes, we’re having a tough time at the moment. We’ve had a few seasons that we’ve not got up to the standards we expect, but it’s up to me and the club to change it as quick as possible.

    “If it’s a season without the Champions League, who knows, but players still want to come to Man United and you would be surprised by the names that you get asked.”

    Solskjaer is pressing ahead with United’s summer recruitment while the club continues to search for a technical director.

    Sources have told ESPN FC that executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward hopes to make an appointment by the beginning of next season, leaving Solskjaer to lead the overhaul.

    “I’ll have a final say if a player comes in or goes out,” Solskjaer said. “We’ve got regular meetings. I’m happy with the way it’s going, and we’re supposed to sign 250 players because you are all writing about players we should sign.

    “Hopefully we can get players in that you haven’t written about as well – you never know.”

    ESPN

  • De Gea will return to form – Solskjaer

    Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says David de Gea has the strength of character to rebound from a slew of mistakes in recent weeks and has no intention of dropping the goalkeeper for the final two games of the season.

    The Spaniard’s latest error came in Sunday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea.

    United had gone ahead through Juan Mata but Chelsea equalised when De Gea weakly parried Antonio Rudiger’s effort into the path of Marcos Alonso, who tucked the ball in.

    De Gea has made a number of uncharacteristic mistakes in recent games but Solskjaer says the goalkeeper cannot take the blame for the team’s struggles.

    Read Also: Top four finish difficult now, says Solskjaer

    “I don’t have any worries about him because he’s a strong character,” Solskjaer told British media. “He knows he could have had that shot but that’s football.”

    The result leaves United sixth in the league on 65 points and dented their hopes of securing a top-four finish. They sit three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea with two games left.

    “With David, he’s been in the spotlight for right reasons for so long and now he’s going through a period where he feels he could have done better,” Solskjaer added.

    “But there’s no chance any of us will point fingers because he’s saved us so many times. I’ll speak to David as I’ve done when he’s played well… he’s not the reason we’re sixth.”

    United’s last two games of the season are against Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City.

    NAN

     

  • De Gea fumbles as Man. United hold Chelsea

    Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea produced another blunder to gift Chelsea a 1-1 draw in the battle between the two top four hopefuls.

    Ex-Chelsea man Juan Mata had given the hosts an early lead at Old Trafford, but Maurizio Sarri’s men were level just before half-time when De Gea spilled Antonio Rudiger’s long-range effort into the path of Marcos Alonso, who made no mistake.

    Defeats for Tottenham and Arsenal this weekend meant the winner of this clash had the chance to steal a march on their rivals.

    United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer named Ander Herrera in his starting line-up, despite the Spanish midfielder believed to be close to joining Paris Saint-Germain in the summer.

    The hosts started the brighter and took the lead after just 11 minutes. Romelu Lukaku played in Luke Shaw, who laid the ball back for Mata to swivel and shoot past goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

    Read Also: Man U insist on £45m plus  Morata for David de Gea’

    Chelsea players celebrate after profiting from a David De Gea mistake to equalise. Alex Livesey/Getty Images

    United were on top and Lukaku showed his determination as he barged defender Cesar Azpilicueta into the advertising hoardings, but they failed to add to their lead and were pegged back on 43 minutes following another De Gea howler.

    The Spain No. 1 has been at fault for goals against Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City in recent weeks.

    Buoyed by that equalising goal, Chelsea were much brighter after the break, but failed to test De Gea’s frail confidence further.

    Both sides lost central defenders to worrying-looking knee injuries in the second period with Chelsea seeing Rudiger hobble off on 65 minutes and United’s Eric Bailly following him down the tunnel six minutes later.

    The result means Chelsea stay fourth but move two points clear of fifth-place Arsenal, with United a point further back in sixth.

    ESPN

  • Solskjaer: Man United rebuild could take years

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he faces a rebuilding job at Manchester United that may take years after a humbling Champions League exit to Barcelona.

    United were out-classed by the Spanish giants, who eased to a 3-0 win at Camp Nou thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi.

    It stretches their wait for the Champions League semifinal to eight years and Solskjaer says he has work to do to get his team back to that level.

    “We know there’s work to be done,” said Solskjaer.

    “I’ve said all along this isn’t going to change overnight and the next few years are going to be massive to get to the level of Barcelona.

    “We’re on with the job and we’ve spoken to the players about it as well.

    “We need to create an environment of top, world-class attitude every single day. We’ve got a lot of good players to work with but as I have said, we have a rebuilding job. It started with coaches, players and of course one or two additions in the summer.”

    Looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg, United started well against Barcelona and could have taken the lead after just 24 seconds when Marcus Rashford hit the bar.

    Read Also: Solskjaer insists United don’t fear Camp Nou test

    But any hope was extinguished when Messi scored twice in four minutes in the first half — the second squirming under David De Gea’s body and into the net.

    “That’s unfortunate with goalkeepers, when you make an error it can get highlighted and that’ll be remembered,” said Solskjaer.

    “He made some fantastic saves and his contribution to the team is good but sometimes that happens in football.”

    Both Rashford and Scott McTominay had early chances as United started on the front foot but after Messi scored with Barcelona’s first two shots on target the tie was all but over.

    Philippe Coutinho added a stunning third in the second half, curling a shot beyond De Gea from 25 yards.

    “We did well to get here and the quality of their finishing was absolutely outstanding,” said Solskjaer.

    “We started well in the first five minutes and we felt we’ve got something here and then in four minutes they scored two goals.

    “The attitude was right but we were fighting against a good team.

    “Messi is an exceptional talent. Him and Cristiano [Ronaldo] have been the best players in the world for the last decade and he showed why we think that and why this team have won so many Champions Leagues.

    “If you give him space and time around the goal he’ll create and score goals. He’s a fantastic player.” (ESPN)

     

  • Mata, de Gea cruise in Aston Martin to lunch date

    Manchester United duo Juan Mata and David de Gea looked in good spirits after enjoying a late lunch with one-another early this week.

    The two Spain internationals took part in United’s training session at Carrington in the morning before heading to Italian restaurant Piccolino in the nearby village of Hale.

    Both players left in Aston Martins at 5pm. Mata was in his £140,000 DB9 and De Gea in his new £120,000 V8 Vantage.

    They looked to have had fun as they were photographed laughing and joking

    with each other outside the restaurant in the evening after their lunch before sharing a hug and heading their separate ways.

    Both stars have every reason to be in high spirits, United having undergone somewhat of a renaissance since the departure of Jose Mourinho last month.

    The Red Devils’ victory over Tottenham at Wembley on sunday means they have now won all of their first six matches’ caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

  • Manchester United stars, fans hail ‘rock of Gibraltar’-de Gea

     

    Goalkeepers like other players on the pitch have their good and bad days.  While the take all the blame and all the pain on a bad day, they share the gains and joy of the good days.  Sunday January 13 2019, could pass as of such good days for

    Spain international and Manchester United safe hand David de Gea as became a stumbling block against Tottenham Hotspur in their premier league tie at the wembley

    The former Athetico Madrid ace proved why he is regarded by many as the best goalkeeper in the world with a brilliant display against a highly determined Spurs, and his team-mates were quick to pay tribute to him following the game.

    The 28 year old made a string of fine saves – including 11 in the second-half – to deny Harry Kane and co as United held on to their lead after going ahead courtesy of a first half goal from Marcus Rashford.

    ‘Man like @d_degeaofficial’, wrote Romelu Lukaku as he shared a cartoon of De Gea pulling a barrier down to cover the goal with the words ‘sorry, closed on Sunday’ written on it. Luke Shaw tweeted the same image.

    Midfielder Ander Herrera followed suit, posting a photo of himself and the goalkeeper hugging at the final whistle with the caption ‘no words @d_degeaofficial’.

    He would later share a story from the team coach, placing a top hat emoticon on De Gea’s head.

    De Gea himself also tweeted, calling it a ‘perfect night at Wembley’ along with a picture of him celebrating at full time.

    Compatriot Juan Mata went for a sarcastic approach as he responded ‘nah, average’ to De Gea’s tweet about it being a ‘perfect night’.

    He then wrote ‘I know you all felt like me’ in response to a clip from Sky of himself staring in amazement at De Gea at the end of the game with the caption ‘find someone who looks at you the way Juan Mata looks at David De Gea’.

    The love-in did not stop there as Victor Lindelof and Andreas Pereira both took opportunities to post images with the man of the hour on United’s train back to Manchester.

    The praise for De Gea continued to pour in from the footballing world, with his former united team mate Darren Fletcher declaring him the best in the world.

     

     

  • Manchester City players dominate PFA Team of the Year

    Players from the Premier League champions-in-waiting Manchester City dominated the Professional Footballers’ Association’s ( PFA ) Team of the Year announced on Wednesday, occupying five out of 11 spots.

    City defenders Kyle Walker and Nicolas Otamendi, midfielders David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne as well as all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero were named in the side.

    Tottenham Hotspur had three players on the list, including England striker Harry Kane, who made the team for a third straight year along with Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

    Read Also: Champions League: Manchester City & Barcelona Out

    Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who has 40 goals across all competitions this season and was nominated for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, also made the team.

    Chelsea had a lone representative in defender Marcos Alonso.

    PFA Team of the Year: David de Gea, Kyle Walker, Jan Vertonghen, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Alonso, David Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Sergio Aguero.

    NAN

  • Man U insist on £45m plus  Morata for David de Gea’

    Man U insist on £45m plus  Morata for David de Gea’

     

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly told Real Madrid that it would take a bid of £45m plus Alvaro Morata for them to sign David de Gea this summer.

    De Gea has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Spanish and European champions during recent transfer windows and was on the brink of completing the switch in 2015 before a mix-up with the paperwork scuppered the deal.

    The 26-year-old still has two years remaining on his contract at Old Trafford, and the Daily Star reports that Mourinho values the shot-stopper at £100m.

    United are understood to be interested in signing Madrid striker Morata this summer, though, and Mourinho would reportedly be willing to strike a deal which would effectively see Morata fetch a £55m price.

    The Spain international scored 20 goals across all competitions last season but is keen for more regular first team football ahead of next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

    United, meanwhile, are looking for a replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and are thought to have made Morata their number one target ahead of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku.