DE GEA’S ‘MUST DO BETTER’ PLEA
DE GEA TELLS TEAMMATES: ‘WE MUST DO MORE TO WIN
DAVID de Gea told his Manchester United teammates that a point against Chelsea isn’t good enough if they’re to satisfy their ambitions of winning the Premier League.
United continued their run of dour games against their big six rivals with a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge and they haven’t scored from open play in the Premier League against one of those sides since last March.
That approach has been enough for a point against Chelsea [twice],
Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal so far this season, and while De Gea accepts a point was a fair result against the Blues, he knows it isn’t enough in the long run.
“I think it was [the right result], we didn’t have many chances, we didn’t create much. I think both teams defended really well, there weren’t many chances, the draw was fine, but if we want to win trophies we have to beat these teams,” he told MUTV.
“The last pass was what we missed today, we created good counter-attacks but the last pass wasn’t the best position. At least we defended really well, the team was strong today, we gave everything and it wasn’t enough.”
De Gea made one crucial save early in the second half, denying Hakim Ziyech.
“It was a big one, especially in this moment of the game, I’m really happy, I feel really well, but like I said before we want to do more, it’s not enough if we want to win trophies,” he said.
United were disappointed at being denied a penalty in the first half after Callum Hudson-Odio handled the ball in his own penalty area.
But after referee Stuart Atwell was advised to watch the incident again by VAR Chris Kavanagh, he still decided not to award a penalty.
“When I saw the referee went to the TV I thought it was a penalty. Someone said it was a handball, I didn’t see it, this is football and VAR,” said De Gea.
The draw did at least extend United’s unbeaten away run in the Premier League to 20, and De Gea added: “That’s unbelievable, to be 20 games unbeaten away from home, the Premier League is always difficult, it’s something for the whole team to be proud of.” Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has also criticised the decision not to give the Reds a penalty at Stamford Bridge after Callum Hudson-Odoi handled the ball in the penalty arean. Clattenburg has now joined the chorus of critics and questioned the decision in his MailOnline column. “I am amazed Manchester United were not awarded a penalty in the first half for the clear handball by Callum Hudson-Odoi,” Clattenburg said.
“The Chelsea player’s arm was up in an unnatural position and the ball hit his hand.
“VAR Chris Kavanagh thought referee Stuart Attwell had missed a clear penalty so he gave him the opportunity to review it at his pitch-side monitor. “How Attwell did not then point to the spot, having been shown the same angles that we were, is a mystery.”
We want to do more, it’s not enough if we don’t win trophies David de Gea
DE GEA’S MESSAGE TO UNITED TEAMMATES AFTER STAMFORD BRIDGE STALEMATE