Can someone please explain De Gea’s overnight decline?

[Eternitiy]

I don't believe it a coincidence that our most recent triumph, the 2017 Europa League, featured Romero in goal throughout the competition. De Gea has proven himself to falter under pressure time and again.

And the statistics tell the story of his decline. It was sad to see at one point, now it's just annoying. Hate that Ole persists with him. Sorry David, it's time to go.

 

[Ødegaard]

Lost hunger to improve and stay sharp when he didn't get the move to Madrid, the club wasn't competing and he got a ton of money in his contract.

The club competing now doesn't make it easy to make up for the time he wasn't pushing himself.

It's basically a Bale situation, just with a footballer instead of a golfer.

That said I don't think the club will sort this out since he has that long a contract, at best we can hope for him to be a expensive, quality #2.

Naturally all this is pure speculation, I've got no clue what I'm talking about.

 

[Ramshock]

David De Gea is a world-class shot-stopper, probably one of the best reactive goalkeepers ever. He isn't the most focused nor are
his communication skills at the top of the game and this is why he will make costly mistakes in some big games. I think a better
and settled back 4 would help him but he isnt a general at the back like Kasper Schmeichel or Big Peter.

 

[Blueman]

My take on it after watching years and years of football and seeing it happen time and time again is that he made a mistake, the media highlighted it, anti - utd fans lapped it up, the media put his game under the spotlight and once that happens you've lost. From then on it's nerves and more and more pile-on.

I saw the same with Lukaku, once someone is under the spotlight it all comes down to subjectivity with the people who shout loudest being the ones who are right.

Manager needs to take him out of the game, let him work on his game... He'll come back like a new player. Worked for stones

 

[TMDaines]

I think we can all agree DDG is a club legend, albeit he deserves the vehement criticism that went his way after that Everton game. But that’s not what this thread is about.

De Gea was the best keeper in the PL and the entire world in 2017-18. He made a decent team come 2nd, when we hardly had any right going by our performances to even be top 4. We eventually got 81 points. He then started 2018-19 well and prevented us from being bottom half and Mourinho from getting sacked even earlier. He made one mistake only iirc, for the Mustafi header against Arsenal, and even in that game, made a sensational point-blank save from Aubameyang. His top performances culminated in one of his best ever games away to Spurs where he made 11 saves and single-handedly won us the game.

And right after that, the very sudden decline. The mysterious, strange overnight decline. Right after that, he became an average goalkeeper who wouldn’t get into any top side in the world. Reflexes got worse, less agile, worse distribution, more cowardly. From best in the world, to mid-table goalkeeper. Absolutely mystifying.

So, as per the thread title, can people come up with an explanation as to why, because I’m at a lost when thinking about it.

Personally, I have always felt that De Gea's game was quite thin. There's posts from me and many others from several years ago reflecting on the fact that De Gea was a world class shot stopper, but thoroughly mediocre in every other aspect of being a goalkeeper. As soon as that part of his game regressed, he was always likely to be a very mediocre goalkeeper.

My suspicion with De Gea is he got too comfortable at United. Any truly driven, world class player would have looked to have left us when he was comfortably outperforming the rest of the team in order to further his career and to keep him motivated. Instead he stayed for the mega bucks, properly accepting him that this came at the expense of silverware, and once you make that trade complacency can set in.

 

[FrankDrebin]

It feels like the turning point, for the recurring brain-farts, happened during a game at home to Chelsea. Cant remember the year though.

 

[eire-red]

It definitely hasn't been an overnight decline. He's been on the downhill since the 2018 WC.

Like many players, he reached his peak and unfortunately his strengths (his agility and reactions) have declined, and aren't good enough to paper over the other deficiencies in his game.

 

[Champagne Football]

I wonder does De Gea harbor some feelings of being messed around a little by Man Utd because he never got his dream move to Real Madrid, resulting in being denied a chance to earn a truckliad of trophies?

It must have been tough for De Gea playing under shite like Moyes and Van Gaal, and then tough under Mourinho and his super Ego also. Maybe David feels he doesn't owe us anything as it appears he stopped giving 100% as a keeper as soon as Ole arrived. In hindsight he should have been sold, and a younger hungry keeper should have been brought in. De Geas performances dropped 10% once the ink was dry on his new ridiculous contract, knowing hell get every penny of his final contract regardless of how poor he plays. Same thing happened with Ozil, Alex is Sanchez etc.

Time to give Henderson a go.

 

[Havak]

He's been a problem on set pieces forever, it's just that previously his other abilities compensated for this.

Almost all of the squad in front of him has evolved over the years and I get the feeling they don't trust him.

The Everton goal being case and point. We won't play a high line, Maguire ended up being too eager to deal with the situation. It's a long ball from 45 yards but there is absolutely no belief that we can stay high and hope our goalkeeper can defuse the situation. He is weak.

 

[charlenefan]

Hardly overnight is it, he had the horrendous game against Portugal in 2018? Then there was the even worse end to the 18/19 season and since then he's been at this level where he's always got an error in him and thats likely to be it for him for the rest of his career now.
He's like Lloris, solid enough most weeks but he'll always have a clanger or two a season

 

[K Stand Knut]

To you, what constitutes a club legend? I’m not too sure if DDG isn’t one. No debate over Robbo, Sir Bobby, Keane, Scholes, but is someone like Phil Neville a legend to you? Rio? Vidic? Ronaldo?

I have no idea these days because the word, like ‘world class’ is bandied about far too often and far too easily these days.

Phil Neville must be in there for some kind of banter purposes.

Rio, Vidic and Ronaldo?? Maybe. Much more so than De Gea though. No question

Personally, I’d like the word legend to never be used again about any player but that isn’t going to happen.

To put DDG in the same category as Scholes, Keane, Charlton and Robson is an insult

 

[gerdm07]

If Henderson plays well today I think there is a possibility that he will start on the weekend and become our #1. DDG is not brave enough to be a top keeper anymore and I believe Ole knows this.

 

[Withnail]

I am not saying that Dave is not a better shot stopper than Romero, but tbh I can't think of anything he has saved recently that I don't think Romero would also have saved. Conversely I am convinced that some of the goals he has let in, that Romero would have either saved them or prevented them from happening in the first place. I also think Romero has got better distribution that De Gea although he has improved in that aspect.
I don't think that he is helped by some dopey defensive work in front of him but we need to sort that part of our game out as well.
I don't know the exact numbers of how much De Gea is on, but by most accounts he is one of the highest earners at the club, and he is just not worth that money any longer. No clue who will buy him though. As usual we have handed out a mega contract to someone that means we are stuck with him.

Romero didn't have a club when we picked him and we can't get rid of him so I think that says a lot. He's been ok in the inconsequential games he's played in but I think he's extremely over-rated by many on here.

Agree on De Gea's contract/wages. It's looking more and more like a shockingly bad agreement.

 

[elnorte]

Overall we should probably only be thankful to him that he wasted his very best years with us before his career started hitting the skids.

 

[RashyForPM]

I have no idea these days because the word, like ‘world class’ is bandied about far too often and far too easily these days.

Phil Neville must be in there for some kind of banter purposes.

Rio, Vidic and Ronaldo?? Maybe. Much more so than De Gea though. No question

Personally, I’d like the word legend to never be used again about any player but that isn’t going to happen.

To put DDG in the same category as Scholes, Keane, Charlton and Robson is an insult

I don’t think you’ll find many people disagreeing with you over that. Anyway, I think there should be tiers when discussing club legends. De Gea is definitely in there for me, albeit in a lower tier next to the likes of Phil Neville, Brown, Butt, Carrick etc.

 

[g11]

For a top tier goalie - I always thought De Gea is mentally weak and lack of focus. He has never been able to control the box and often gets bullied by opposing players in set pieces.
He was our MVP during the Moyes and Van Gaal's years due to our atrocious defense in front of him and our style of play. Jose got here and tighten up the defense up and all of sudden, De Gea was no longer the MVP of the team. We saw his lack of focus showing up with some very stupid conceded goals at the important moment of the last few seasons.
He needs to move on to new adventure to freshen his career and legacy.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

De Gea has always been mediocre in the area (crosses). Mediocre as a sweeper. Mediocre as a ball player. Mediocre as a starter of attacking moves (hands or feet). Highly suspect as a defence leader (in any shape or form).

We all know what he used to be exceptionally good at - and that one thing is great, fantastic, the sort of thing that can make a difference, sure...we all know that.

But he never was a complete goal keeper - he wasn't even close. And he hasn't developed at all, has he? He's just grown a bit older.

 

[tomaldinho1]

The world cup totally fecked him. He was amazing before that, but after he shit the bed there he never recovered and its been mistake after mistake ever since.

Exactly this. Had a poor WC and never recovered.

The shocking thing is that was so long ago and he's still No1 and he can't hide behind three seasons of crap stats. If you're looking at how our club is run and the messaging we give players, our Keeper situation has been handled awfully. Romero would have started for most PL sides, Henderson probably would now too and yet we just said DDG is No1, nothing form related will change that, let's crack on. Unless we have a meritocratic environment, we'll never be truly elite again in my opinion.

 

[K Stand Knut]

I don’t think you’ll find many people disagreeing with you over that. Anyway, I think there should be tiers when discussing club legends. De Gea is definitely in there for me, albeit in a lower tier next to the likes of Phil Neville, Brown, Butt, Carrick etc.

Well, I don’t think there is, or should be a tier system for legends. You’re either a legend or you’re not.

 

[Varun]

Brilliant shot stopper who thrived when we were a tad shit and he needed to be very active. Even at his peak, he was well below par for Spain where he needed to focus more and do well when called upon which wasn't very often. Also, it's his shot stopping that made him the amazing keeper he was. He was never special in commanding his area, coming out when needed etc etc. As his shot stopping has declined, he's just become a hit avg. It's also not gradual, he's been like this for good couple yrs now.

 

[RedDevilzFox]

Nothing 'overnight' about it. Its been at least 4 possibly 5 seasons his mistakes are becoming more regular. He still has a penchant for making hollywood near impossible saves mind you. But they are becoming an exception, not the rule. And that in itself wouldn't be a problem if he cannot consistently make world class saves. Problem is that his weaknesses in the game are still the same as they were 10 years ago. His inability to control the box and come out of his line to sweep anything is now more of a liability now that the world class saves are becoming a rarity.

People now go on about the 'massive' contract we gave him are the same people that were telling Ed to "stop being a loser and get it done" at the time.

 

[Jeppers7]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player go from where he was, to where he is now. For me he’s second only to Schmeichel and those two overall are way ahead of anyone else at United. That being said for the last three years he’s been an absolute liability. He’s a total joke now.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Brilliant shot stopper who thrived when we were a tad shit and he needed to be very active. Even at his peak, he was well below par for Spain where he needed to focus more and do well when called upon which wasn't very often. Also, it's his shot stopping that made him the amazing keeper he was. He was never special in commanding his area, coming out when needed etc etc. As his shot stopping has declined, he's just become a hit avg. It's also not gradual, he's been like this for good couple yrs now.

Exactly this.

Another way to put it: a great goal keeper needs to be more than a great shot stopper.

 

[golden_blunder]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player go from where he was, to where he is now. For me he’s second only to Schmeichel and those two overall are way ahead of anyone else at United. That being said for the last three years he’s been an absolute liability. He’s a total joke now.

He’s behind Schmeichel and VDS for me

 

[Jeppers7]

He’s behind Schmeichel and VDS for me

VDS overrated for me. Don’t recall him having games or seasons like DeGea had or being particularly brave and commanding his area either. A bit like Carrick, although at his peak VDS was world class, he’s remembered more fondly because he played in a great United side. He was a very good keeper for us though.

 

[golden_blunder]

VDS overrated for me. Don’t recall him having games or seasons like DeGea had or being particularly brave and commanding his area either. A bit like Carrick, although at his peak VDS was world class, he’s remembered more fondly because he played in a great United side. He was a very good keeper for us though.

Read an interview with Rio where he said that VDS knew which way many forwards would shoot and would direct his defenders in that direction to block off shooting avenues. The guy made goalkeeping simple, because he didn’t have to dive around so much people think he wasn’t as good as DDG. But for me his organisational skills, calmness and authority put him above DDG

 

[Remember the geese]

I don’t think you’ll find many people disagreeing with you over that. Anyway, I think there should be tiers when discussing club legends. De Gea is definitely in there for me, albeit in a lower tier next to the likes of Phil Neville, Brown, Butt, Carrick etc.

Carrick is definitely in a much higher tier than these guys.

 

[Jeppers7]

Carrick is definitely in a much higher tier than these guys.

DeGeas above Carrick

 

[Jeppers7]

Read an interview with Rio where he said that VDS knew which way many forwards would shoot and would direct his defenders in that direction to block off shooting avenues. The guy made goalkeeping simple, because he didn’t have to dive around so much people think he wasn’t as good as DDG. But for me his organisational skills, calmness and authority put him above DDG

Each to their own...underwhelming for me. A good keeper for us no doubt but I can’t name you many great performances that won us games or saves you wouldn’t expect him to make. I agree though....he’s some keeper if he can simply tell his defenders what to do to the point he doesn’t have to do anything....perhaps the best ever.

 

[Judas]

DeGeas above Carrick

What De Gea is more of a club legend than Carrick? In what universe? Not this one.


De Gea isn't a club legend, he's a club great perhaps, not a legend.

 

[Jeppers7]

What De Gea is more of a club legend than Carrick? In what universe? Not this one.


De Gea isn't a club legend, he's a club great perhaps, not a legend.

your universe? Maybe not

Degaea is one of the greatest keepers we’ve ever had. Had multiple seasons of world class performances in a mediocre team. Similar to Bryan Robson.

Carrick a United legend? He’s just a good player in a great team and a mediocre player in poor teams after Sir Alex. He had one really good season.

 

[Judas]

Neither are legends in my book, my point is if you're giving De Gea that status, Carrick has to be one.

 

[galwayfa]

The problem is braveness, you need it, coach a team u12 if they pull out of tackle, take them off, skill can be coached but not hardness, de gea has ability but is not brave, Spanish fans aren't to fond of him, our 2013 gave him a free ride,

 

[sullydnl]

What De Gea is more of a club legend than Carrick? In what universe? Not this one.


De Gea isn't a club legend, he's a club great perhaps, not a legend.

I have no idea what this means. Is there some tier system that actually exists in the world where "club legend" ranks higher than "club great"? Or is it just a tier list of adjectives you've come up with in your head?

If the latter, please rank the following: club favourite, club servant, club hero, club icon, club renegade, club sandwich.

 

[Kag]

I wouldn’t say it was overnight. More like a steady decline into the shit.

 

[acnumber9]

To me it’s confidence. He’s always been a coward but he used to shake off mistakes like they didn’t happen. That hasn’t been the case since the World Cup. He’s obviously a concern currently but I don’t think replacing him will be as easy as some seem to think.

 

[Jeppers7]

Neither are legends in my book, my point is if you're giving De Gea that status, Carrick has to be one.

Ah....ok I’m not sure I gave him legendary status....I would if he hadn’t been a fax machine away from Madrid. I just said he was a higher level than Carrick

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

I have no idea what this means. Is there some tier system that actually exists in the world where "club legend" ranks higher than "club great"? Or is it just a tier list of adjectives you've come up with in your head?

If the latter, please rank the following: club favourite, club servant, club hero, club icon, club renegade, club sandwich.

please don’t. Because someone will come up with a tier system.

I’d like to throw tiers, ceiling and generational talent into room 101.

 

[Shark]

Some keepers, like outfield players simply peak early. Also not denying that De Gea wasn't at one point world class and top 2-3 in the world but it's worth noting that Spain never really rated him.

 

[TMDaines]

Each to their own...underwhelming for me. A good keeper for us no doubt but I can’t name you many great performances that won us games or saves you wouldn’t expect him to make. I agree though....he’s some keeper if he can simply tell his defenders what to do to the point he doesn’t have to do anything....perhaps the best ever.

This is akin to arguing that great defenders are defined by great tackles. Keepers can offer teams so much more than just reflex saves. For me, Van der Sar is a cut above De Gea. I have always been disappointed by the fact that De Gea has never seemingly sought to address the weaknesses of his game.