Manchester Evening News

DE GEA: We can win the title

United keeper says Reds are right in the hunt in this ‘strange’ season

- By RICH FAY

DAVID de Gea insists United could still win the Premier League in what has been a ‘strange’ season.

The Reds extended their unbeaten domestic run to five matches as they drew 0-0 with City.

Although the game was largely dull, it still represente­d a good point for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.

United are still in close touch with the leaders ahead of a trip to winless Sheffield United next week.

Another positive result there could see the Reds enter the top four and De Gea does not see a reason why his side shouldn’t be dreaming of another league title.

“This year the Premier League is very open,” De Gea said after his clean sheet.

“Many teams are fighting for the title so we have to dream.

“We have to believe b that we can ca win the Premier P League this th year and go for fo it.

“It is a very strange st season. Many M teams are fighting fi for the top place p so we need to be very ve focused in every game and an try to win the Premier League.”

Luke Shaw, meanwhile, revealed United’s U players were intent on making a better start to a game heading into the derby.

The left-back said the Reds spoke about their recent habit of starting games slowly, in the knowledge they could be punished by City if they did so again at Old Trafford.

“I’d be lying if I said we haven’t started slowly the last three of four games,” said the defender. “Maybe most of the games this season we haven’t started brightly.

“We said before the game ‘we need to start bright’ because if we don’t against Man City, we could be looking at three or four-nil down after 30 minutes. “So we started better, but I still feel we could push more and start brighter in more games.

Many teams are fighting for the title. We have to believe we can win the league this year and go for it. David de Gea

“I would say it was very tight, a very even game. We made it difficult for them at times, they couldn’t get the normal rhythm going.

“Either team could have taken it towards the end.

“I felt, especially in the first half, we lacked something, that final third ball.

“Bruno (Fernandes) a couple of time t failed with passes that he would w have normally have made.”

Shaw believes the draw shows s United are improving under Solskjaer as their hectic schedule continues in the league over the next n few weeks.

“A point is better than none,” he added. a

“I felt we could have taken the t three points at the end, but we s showed we’re improving because in the past it’s been more dominated by Man City.

“But we know there’s more to come from us and that we need to improve, get our heads down and work hard.”

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Marcus Rashford goes down after a challenge from Kyle Walker, but the penalty is wiped out by VAR for offside
Marcus Rashford goes down after a challenge from Kyle Walker, but the penalty is wiped out by VAR for offside
 ??  ?? Aaron Wan-Bissaka stops City’s Raheem Sterling in his tracks
Aaron Wan-Bissaka stops City’s Raheem Sterling in his tracks
 ??  ?? Sir Alex Ferguson watching the derby at Old Trafford
Sir Alex Ferguson watching the derby at Old Trafford

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