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The David de Gea conundrum – should the Manchester United keeper be dropped?

By Ollie Slack

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Poor David de Gea. He looks like a man with no confidence whatsoever. The Spaniard is in a rut which he is desperate to get out of so he can finish the season strong with Manchester United, but is it right that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer keeps picking him?

David de Gea has not kept a clean sheet in 13 games for United, conceding 53 goals this campaign so far. And of course, not all of those 53 goals will be his fault, the majority, in fact, won’t be. But it is the rapid decline in form and confidence which has just drained from his body in recent weeks.

In his last four games, you could pick out a goal per match which De Gea would expect to do better with. Firstly, in the Nou Camp, it goes without saying that allowing Lionel Messi‘s shot to squirm through his body was potentially one of the most embarrassing moments in his career.

Five days later at Goodison Park, De Gea couldn’t move quickly enough to deny Gylfi Sigurdsson‘s long-range strike. His slump continued into the Manchester Derby when he opted to use his feet in order to keep out Leroy Sane‘s shot but failed. And finally, De Gea’s most recent blunder was against Chelsea on Sunday, allowing the Blues to equalise just before half time.

I mentioned in my “3 things learned…” piece after the Chelsea match: De Gea’s performances remind me of when he first arrived at the club. Back in 2011, you feared the youngster would make a mistake, but due to his physical limitations rather than ability. You could always tell he was a good shot-stopper but would need time to bulk out and adjust to like in the Premier League.
I mentioned in my “3 things learned…” piece after the Chelsea match: De Gea’s performances remind me of when he first arrived at the club. Back in 2011, you feared the youngster would make a mistake, but due to his physical limitations rather than ability. You could always tell he was a good shot-stopper but would need time to bulk out and adjust to like in the Premier League. /

For the first time in eight years, for the whole second half, I feared the Red Devils keeper could make a mistake. I got the jitters every time the ball went near him. In some ways, that is a compliment. Eight years at the top and this is the only time since when he first arrived I have felt remotely worried. But it also poses Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a question.

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Should David De Gea be dropped?

In my opinion, the answer is no. We are still talking about one of Manchester United’s greatest-ever goalkeeper, he’d put a strong case in for the best. And as much credit in the bank as De Gea has built up over the years, it can only take you so far.

If your keeper is continually costing you points and places in the league table, then it is time for a change. Everything comes down to what is best for the club. But, United’s top four hopes are all but over. They have two relatively simple matches left against Huddersfield and Cardiff, where you’d like to think De Gea would not face an ordeal of shots. So you can afford to look at the bigger picture.
If your keeper is continually costing you points and places in the league table, then it is time for a change. Everything comes down to what is best for the club. But, United’s top four hopes are all but over. They have two relatively simple matches left against Huddersfield and Cardiff, where you’d like to think De Gea would not face an ordeal of shots. So you can afford to look at the bigger picture. /

Dropping De Gea now could shatter his confidence. He may return in the summer and feel no different, thinking the only way to get out of this slump is to change the environment. Suddenly, you need to sign a world-class keeper this summer.

If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sticks by the Spaniard and he goes untroubled in the last two matches, you are giving De Gea the best possible chance to return for preseason in a good frame of mind. He needs the summer, he needs the break. So allow him to return the squad not thinking he has to regain his number one jersey.

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Sticking by De Gea may also marginally pay back some of the loyalty points he has gathered over the years. Something which wouldn’t decide whether he stays or goes this summer window, but also wouldn’t do any harm if he is sitting on the fence.

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