Blunders put Chelsea in final
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted David De Gea’s place is not guaranteed after the goalkeeper endured another error-strewn display in Manchester United’s FA Cup semifinal defeat to Chelsea.
Chelsea face London rivals Arsenal in the final on August 1 thanks to embarrassing blunders from De Gea in United’s 31 loss at Wembley on Sunday.
The Spaniard was at fault when Olivier Giroud’s shot trickled over the line late in the first half.
De Gea made an even worse mistake moments after the interval when he allowed Mason Mount’s shot to evade his weak attempted save.
Harry Maguire’s own goal was also partly down to De Gea’s slow reactions as United lost for the first time in 20 games in all competitions.
Asked if De Gea would be replaced by Sergio Romero when United played West Ham in Wednesday’s Premier League clash, Solskjaer would not rule out dropping his star.
“Obviously, everyone has to perform. Everyone has a chance every time we perform to stake a claim in the team,” he said.
“David knows he should have saved the second goal, but that’s done now and we have to look forward to Wednesday.”
De Gea’s future at United will be scrutinised given the fine form of the club’s on-loan keeper Dean Henderson during his spell at Sheffield United.
Solskjaer has labelled Henderson a future England number one and he could be back at Old Trafford to challenge De Gea for the keeper’s jersey.
Chelsea reached the FA Cup final for the first time since last lifting the trophy in 2018.
“To win a semi is a great thing, but to win a final is the thing,” Lampard said.
United looked out of sync after switching to a back three formation.
Chelsea took the lead infirst half stoppage-time as Giroud, anticipating Azpilicueta’s low cross, made a run in front of Victor Lindelof and flicked his close-range shot past De Gea.
It was a comedy of errors from United as Brandon Williams gifted possession to Mount in midfield.
Mount hit a long-range drive that should have been saved by De Ge, but squirmed through.
Chelsea put the result beyond doubt in the 74th minute when Mount found Marcos Alonso and Maguire turned the Spaniard’s cross into his own net.