De Gea gets Solskjaer backing
Man U face West Ham in hunt for UCL berth
MANCHESTER: David de Gea is mentally strong enough to deal with fierce criticism following a series of costly goalkeeping blunders for Manchester United, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said yesterday.
The 29-year-old Spaniard’s place as United’s No.1 is under severe pressure after he was at fault for two goals in the team’s 3-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea on Sunday.
It came after other glaring errors over the past 18 months from De Gea, previously considered among the best goalkeepers in the world.
Solskjaer, speaking at his pre-match press conference, was determined to keep the focus on today’s game against West Ham rather than the struggles of his goalkeeper.
“This is not going to become a David de Gea press conference,” he said. “We’re just going to stick together. We’ve got two games, so we’re just going to focus on that one. David’s mentally strong enough to know that his job is to perform in training the next day and then be ready for the games.”
Dean Henderson is snapping at De Gea’s heels after impressing on loan at Sheffield United while Sergio Romero, the back-up goalkeeper surprisingly omitted from the FA Cup semi-final starting line-up, is waiting in the wings.
Solskjaer has a significant decision to make about the position for their penultimate Premier League match of the season, given victory would give his fifth-placed side a huge boost in the Champions League race.
Leicester’s 3-0 loss at Tottenham on Sunday means United are not only level with the fourth-placed Foxes on 62 points but on goal difference as well, with the clubs going toe-to-toe at the King Power Stadium in fascinating season finale on Sunday.
Solskjaer was under intense pressure himself earlier in the season but a long unbeaten run either side of the coronavirus shutdown has turned their campaign around.
The Norwegian said it was clear that United were on the right track.
“It is in our own hands,” he said. “I don’t want to talk about how much it [Champions League] will mean financially or to attract people. We just have to focus on the next two games and make sure we are there.”
Eric Bailly was taken to hospital after a nasty clash of heads with fellow United defender Harry Maguire on Sunday and Solskjaer said he was unlikely to feature against West Ham.
“Eric stayed down in London after for all the checks,” he said.
“I didn’t see him yesterday. He’s following the protocols that’s needed so, for me, I don’t think that he’ll be ready for this game.”
TIME AND PATIENCE
West Ham United manager David Moyes said Solskjaer is building an exciting team having been given time on the job — something the Scot felt he was not afforded at Old Trafford.
Moyes, who replaced long-term United manager Alex Ferguson in 2013, was dismissed after only 10 months in charge but the 57-year-old said he was looking forward to returning to his former side for today’s clash.
“Ole had a difficult start, but the difference between Ole and me is that he’s being given time. He’s bringing players in from the academy, which United have always stood for,” Moyes told a news conference.
“They have got really exciting young players of their own now. It’s a wonderful club and a brilliant place to be, and the biggest club in the world, for me. It’s always a special place to go and I’m looking forward to going back.”
West Ham have won their last two league games.