Award would be glovely for De Gea
WIGAN v MANCHESTER UNITED Kick-off 7.45pm
SIR ALEX FERGUSON is backing David de Gea to plunge the final dagger into the hearts of Man City.
United have already left City on the ropes after opening up an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
Now Spaniard De Gea is pushing City’s Joe Hart for the coveted Golden Glove – the award for the keeper with most top-flight clean sheets.
It would cap a remarkable turn around in fortunes should De Gea mark his debut campaign with the title and Golden Glove gong.
The 21-year-old was ridiculed earlier in the season for a string of errors and was even axed by Ferguson for a spell.
But the £18.9million signing from Atletico Madrid last summer, who conceded six goals against City at Old Trafford last October, is on now course for a unique double.
Fantastic
De Gea is currently on 10 shut-outs – three behind leader Hart with six games remaining.
But, while stuttering City have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five league games, De Gea hasn’t been beaten for seven hours and 33 minutes.
Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe was the last player to score against United in the league on March 4.
Since then De Gea has kept clean sheets against West Brom, Wolves, Fulham, Blackburn and QPR.
And Ferguson wants Edwin van der Sar’s replacement to cap the campaign by securing the Golden Glove.
The United boss said: “David’s been fantastic. His confidence is high and every game he is getting better.
“He found it tough at first and he made mistakes, but you forgive players making mistakes at 21.”
Fergie is due to make changes at struggling Wigan tonight as United chase a ninth straight league win. Midfielder Tom Cleverley could start against the club where he spent last season on loan, while Ryan Giggs is also poised to return.
Latics boss Roberto Martinez claims he won’t be happy with a point against United – despite losing every time they’ve played the champions.
The Spaniard’s side have lost on all 14 occasions have met Fergie’s team.
But Martinez believes attack is the best policy tonight.
Pressure
“We’ll chase the win if it’s 1-1 in the 85th minute,” he said.
“We’re not a team that really wants to soak up pressure, be defensive and hope for a win.
“We want to go for a win from start to finish and that mentality helps you win football matches.
“We’re not going to change that. There is a real belief we can win matches even in the last minute.
“Getting three points instead of one makes a big difference.”