[Jev]

The amount of criticism after a game where he had so many big saves just goes to show how much blind bias he has against him. Absolutely ridiculous.

 

[Isotope]

I thought he had an excellent game. Much better than Ter Stegen who looked nervous and average.

It's noticeable that some posters just regularly giving negative comments after every fecking game.

 

[Olecurls99]

I thought he had an excellent game. Much better than Ter Stegen who looked nervous and average.

It's noticeable that some posters just regularly giving negative comments after every fecking game.

Agenda heads

 

[onemanarmy]

His long passes weren't good first half, good game all in all.

 

[Flanders Devil]

I thought this got a bump cos he had a good game...but clearly not.

For me, I would keep DDG, even if we do look to bring in a new GK too, with better distribution.

The simple concept being sometimes it's better the devil you know. There is no guarantee that anyone we bring in will a better shot stopper (assuming they are better at distribution), however for me by far the biggest question mark on any new GK we bring in is actually handling the mental side of things. What we have with DDG for any of its flaws is worlds better than what we had between Schmikes and VSD.

 

[Adisa]

You guys are crazy.

 

[Dan_F]

Mistakes can and will happen with all keepers. But De Gea's issues are about what he can't do as a keeper. And when you're weak at commanding your area and with the ball at your feet, there will always be big question marks surrounding your ability as a keeper.

Ter Stegen got beaten on the near post and that's a mistake and mistakes can happen. But as a goalkeeper with a well rounded skillset he's comfortably better than De Gea.

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Erik ten Hag is a proponent of vertical positional play and De Gea is a big weakness in that regard.

I don’t think there’s anything more irrelevant than posting first half goalkeeper stats for a 0-0 HT game that ended up 2-2.

 

[Remember the geese]

I look forward to his departure.

 

[KjaAnd]

Pointing out that he is inviting pressure because of his chronic inability to command the box is not having an agenda against him. Many of us acknowledge and appriciate what he has done for the club and that he still contributes with great saves (like tonight). However, that is outweighed by his weaknesses IMO.

 

[Trequartistry]

He saved our arses in the last minute. Could have lost without him.

I can't believe some actually want to replace him. People acting as if this will be easy or something.

He's a great keeper with few unimportant flaws really and one of our most reliable players. Replacing him will be damn hard and it's the least thing we need to do now considering there're more important positions to reinforce in the team.

De Gea can give us many more solid years.

Yes we could have lost without him because we would have 10 men? because we wouldn’t have a goalkeeper?

Or are you suggesting that no one else could make the saves he made today?

 

[Adnan]

I don’t think there’s anything more irrelevant than posting first half goalkeeper stats for a 0-0 HT game that ended up 2-2.

It's only irrelevant if you're completely clueless when it comes to understanding the principles of vertical positional play and how a keeper impacts the first phase of the build up in the mid to long-term.

The game tonight ended up being a battle of high regains and Ter Stegen was again the better and more rounded keeper.

 

[lex talionis]

The amount of criticism after a game where he had so many big saves just goes to show how much blind bias he has against him. Absolutely ridiculous.

It's best to admit this insane blind spot by some in the fan base. David De Gea, hilariously referred to here a few weeks ago as the worst keeper in the league (excuse me, "arguably"), can make save after save on a routine basis that most other keepers -- including the legendary David Raya -- can't make but if one clearance goes astray his name might as well be Massimo Taibi.

 

[Red the Bear]

Turned up when it mattered, deserves praise for this game.

 

[arthurka]

He was poor on the first goal I just hate his zip lock movement on the line. His distribution is also really poor. He was ok today but he needs to be replaced.

 

[harms]

Some great saves tonight (although only the one for Fati's shot was truly difficult — the rest were just very camera-friendly)... but what the hell was he doing for the first goal? And while Casemiro is mainly at fault for the second, I still expect much more from a top keeper. The less said about his control over the box & distribution, the better.

I love the guy and he'll always be a club legend in my eyes but we need to move on next summer.

 

[georgipep]

It's only irrelevant if you're completely clueless when it comes to understanding the principles of vertical positional play and how a keeper impacts the first phase of the build up in the mid to long-term.

The game tonight ended up being a battle of high regains and Ter Stegen was again the better and more rounded keeper.

Seeing Ter Stephen ce out and play first time passes that broke lines, compared to De Gea who either punted the ball forward, pass it 5 meters away to Varane or lost it, was difficult.

 

[Dan_F]

It's only irrelevant if you're completely clueless when it comes to understanding the principles of vertical positional play and how a keeper impacts the first phase of the build up in the mid to long-term.

The game tonight ended up being a battle of high regains and Ter Stegen was again the better and more rounded keeper.

I’m not suggesting for a second that De Gea is better than Ter Stegen with the ball at his feet. We struggled in the first half massively playing out from the back. I said in the match day thread that if we had Barca’s keeper and striker we’d have demolished them.

I’m just laughing at posting first half keeper stats from a game that had no goals in the first half and four in the second.

 

[Adnan]

Seeing Ter Stephen ce out and play first time passes that broke lines, compared to De Gea who either punted the ball forward, pass it 5 meters away to Varane or lost it, was difficult.

It was difficult mate and it would be beneficial for the collective if we had a more commanding goalkeeper imo.

And there's nothing modern about replacing De Gea. Expecting the keeper to be more proactive isn't a modern concept and neither is the concept of playing the ball out with your feet a modern innovation.

 

[georgipep]

It was difficult mate and it would be beneficial for the collective if we had a more commanding goalkeeper imo.

And there's nothing modern about replacing De Gea. Expecting the keeper to be more proactive isn't a modern concept and neither is the concept of playing the ball out with your feet a modern innovation.

Totally agree. I was even happy with Henderson, who is far from what we truly need but still an upgrade on multiple levels.

We can only hope Ten Hag doesn't fold and we move on from De Gea in the summer or at worst retain him on a substantially lower wages as the backup.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

On the Ter Stegen near post goal being a mistake, that has to be one of the most annoying myths in football. The notion that it’s easier to save a near post shot is so fecking dumb. And it’s maddening when former players and commentators keep trotting it out. Because if it really is easier to score at the far post then the keeper is standing in the wrong position! The perfect position for a shot should always make it equally difficult to score at either post.

 

[Adnan]

I’m not suggesting for a second that De Gea is better than Ter Stegen with the ball at his feet. We struggled in the first half massively playing out from the back. I said in the match day thread that if we had Barca’s keeper and striker we’d have demolished them.

I’m just laughing at posting first half keeper stats from a game that had no goals in the first half and four in the second.

The first half stats weren't posted due to the scoreline but rather due to how Ter Stegen was a net positive when it came to progressing the play. He made some good save too, but it's also about what else you can do as a keeper which is very important for managers who expect the keeper to create the first superiority.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

I thought he could have done better on the first goal Either come out and punch, or make the save. He looked awkward.

Loved his Hollywood save. Nothing better than seeing a keeper dive and catch a ball.

The last goal was a tricky one. Hard to blame De Gea, but I'd rather see a keeper make a dive and then the ball get redirected than see a keeper stand still as it gets dummied into the corner. Again, not blaming him for that, but I'd like to see him gamble on a dive there.

 

[Malone_Post]

A top keeper saves both those goals today. First one was really weak, seemed to think it was going wide before realising too late it was in. Second one he just ended up in no man’s land and did nothing. When the only net positive you bring to the team is your shot stopping ability, and you let in goals like that, then really what’s the point?

The less said about his distribution and command of his area the better. We all know he’s useless at both.

 

[berbatrick]

Counted two punches out today, including one much further than usual. At most one cross he should have but didn't deal with. Distribution wasn't great at the start, but it became better and didn't cost us. I think people have "command and distribution sucks" typed out on this thread for every match.

What they should be criticizing is the shot-stopping on the first goal. Peak DDG stops it.
The saves he did make were all doable. I liked the one from the chipped header - as usual he makes sure it goes out wide, not for a rebound. And the spectacular one from the bouncing shot - but again, if that went in, it would be a big mistake.

e - if the 6'6 centre forward could jump, his distribution today would have been out of this world.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

His distribution just isn't good enough for how Ten Hag wants to play.

If you're going to build up from the back, we need a GK who's excellent at distributing and acting like a de-facto sweeper.

We need to replace him in the summer.

Some excellent saves, though I think he could have saved the 1st goal.

 

[sullydnl]

On the Ter Stegen near post goal being a mistake, that has to be one of the most annoying myths in football. The notion that it’s easier to save a near post shot is so fecking dumb. And it’s maddening when former players and commentators keep trotting it out. Because if it really is easier to score at the far post then the keeper is standing in the wrong position! The perfect position for a shot should always make it equally difficult to score at either post.

100%.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Criticising him for the second goal is a bit weird - would be ridiculous for him to predict Lewa was going to completely miss the ball and dive early to save Raphina's cross/shot

 

[Andersonson]

Criticising him for the second goal is a bit weird - would be ridiculous for him to predict Lewa was going to completely miss the ball and dive early to save Raphina's cross/shot

And go through Varanes legs.
Its a clueless statement.

 

[Mr.Hik]

Saved our ass twice at 0-0.

 

[MadDogg]

The simple concept being sometimes it's better the devil you know. There is no guarantee that anyone we bring in will a better shot stopper (assuming they are better at distribution), however for me by far the biggest question mark on any new GK we bring in is actually handling the mental side of things. What we have with DDG for any of its flaws is worlds better than what we had between Schmikes and VSD.

Honestly that is the only question. It really is quite easy to sign a keeper who has been comfortably better than De Gea for the last few years. The only issue is that for most of them there is the question of how will they handle the step up in pressure?

Nick Pope is an easy example. He's been miles better than De Gea for a few years now and was available for cheap. However he has been poor whenever given the chance for England (I didn't watch the games but from what others said), so that definitely raises the question of can he handle pressure? He stepped up to Newcastle this season and has once again been much better than De Gea so he's shown an improvement in that aspect, but obviously Newcastle isn't Man Utd.

Ultimately we can't let that question hold us back though. We always have to seek improvement else we'll never move forward, and goalkeeper is one of the most notable areas in our team that can be improved. If we get it wrong we just have to try again (like both Pep and Klopp did).

Also, it should be noted that De Gea has hardly been great under pressure himself the last five years. He's had a fairly big tendency to make mistakes in a lot of our bigger games in that time, which has directly led to us being knocked out of cups or out of the top 4.

 

[Adnan]

Honestly that is the only question. It really is quite easy to sign a keeper who has been comfortably better than De Gea for the last few years. The only issue is that for most of them there is the question of how will they handle the step up in pressure?

Nick Pope is an easy example. He's been miles better than De Gea for a few years now and was available for cheap. However he has been poor whenever given the chance for England (I didn't watch the games but from what others said), so that definitely raises the question of can he handle pressure? He stepped up to Newcastle this season and has once again been much better than De Gea so he's shown an improvement in that aspect, but obviously Newcastle isn't Man Utd.

Ultimately we can't let that question hold us back though. We always have to seek improvement else we'll never move forward, and goalkeeper is one of the most notable areas in our team that can be improved. If we get it wrong we just have to try again (like both Pep and Klopp did).

Also, it should be noted that De Gea has hardly been great under pressure himself the last five years. He's had a fairly big tendency to make mistakes in a lot of our bigger games in that time, which has directly led to us being knocked out of cups or out of the top 4.

Completely agree.

And your Klopp/Pep example is spot on imo, and that is something that has frequently crossed my mind. We have to take the plunge and keep trying until we get the correct profile of player. And I honestly believe it shouldn't be difficult to uprade on De Gea who is weak at both commanding the box and with his feet.

It's been reported that Tony Coton has been tasked with identifying a new keeper who fits the profile we require. So I'm hopeful he will come up with some interesting names with the requisite attributes. It's about evolving as a team and I don't believe that's possible with a keeper who ten Hag has to adapt to.

 

[RVN1991]

Hope he's off asap. Can't stand seeing him tarnish his legacy putting in crap performances and having the clowns feast every single time he doesn't come off his line. He's been a great servant to the club and imo our second best ever keeper, I'm sure the same "fans" slaughtering him now will be singing his praises a few years after he leaves just like they did with Rooney though.

 

[Lyng]

While I think we can upgrade on De Gea due to his flaws, it is somewhat weird to see how he gets treated compared to a fan darling like Bruno.
De Gea had a good game yesterday and his save on Raphinas shot was beautiful and you could see Raphinas soul leaving his body.
But people will focus only on what he could potentially have done better. Compare that to what happens if you criticise someone like Bruno after a bad game. (Bruno was excellent against Barca btw)

 

[Remember the geese]

De Gea had a good game yesterday and his save on Raphinas shot was beautiful

One for the cameras.

 

[LARulz]

One for the cameras.

Every save he does is for camera's according to people

Him saving certain shots like Fati's was because his positioning was excellent. His overall positioning gets overlooked too much so thats why shots always look like they are easier to save

 

[Remember the geese]

Every save he does is for camera's according to people

Him saving certain shots like Fati's was because his positioning was excellent. His overall positioning gets overlooked too much so thats why shots always look like they are easier to save

Decent hands I suppose, but the strike was fairly central. He made two or three decent saves yesterday, but nothing that you wouldn't expect a keeper to stop. It's what he doesn't give you that is more worrying.

 

[Blood Mage]

One of the best shot stoppers the game has ever seen, which makes the other deficiencies in his game an even bigger shame.

 

[Borys]

Every save he does is for camera's according to people

Him saving certain shots like Fati's was because his positioning was excellent. His overall positioning gets overlooked too much so thats why shots always look like they are easier to save

I don't get this idea. He makes saves I would expect any keeper to make, he just does it in more "flashy" way, what makes it look like it was a difficult shot to defend.
He had an OK game, like usual. Looks weak on the goals, but made some good saves. Doesn't make us solid at the back as he doesn't command his area, something you would expect an experienced goalkeeper to do. His passing was never his strength so hardly his fault at this point he isn't very good at it.

Time to move him on.

 

[Lyng]

One for the cameras.

He made it look like it was easy. A keeper doing that will have an influence on that opposition player.
Schmeichel used to do these kind of theatrics a lot. Its all part of the game.

 

[MadDogg]

He made it look like it was easy. A keeper doing that will have an influence on that opposition player.
Schmeichel used to do these kind of theatrics a lot. Its all part of the game.

The save itself was very easy. Any keeper who let that in would be considered to have made a huge mistake. Holding it was definitely impressive though. Most keepers (including De Gea himself) would normally have just pushed it out wide either for a corner or back into play.