[Mmm-Qatarian]

It was a crap pass from a crap keeper to a crap player that fecked up and gave the ball away in a series of not entirely unexpected events.

They are both shit and both of them need to see the exit door in the summer

I'd probably have expressed it slightly more delicately, but I think you've nailed the essence of what happened here.

Debating who was more at fault is, in the inimitable words of the late Sean Lock, a bit like debating whether you'd rather eat dog shite or cow shite.

 

[NLunited]

I'd probably have expressed it slightly more delicately, but I think you've nailed the essence of what happened here.

Debating who was more at fault is, in the inimitable words of the late Sean Lock, bit like debating whether you'd rather eat dog shite or cow shite.

 

[CM]

I am not blind but i am not going to waste any more time on this.

Maybe see this video and see what a proper footballer can do when he is pressed.

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Maguire was slow as feck in not only receiving the pass but also cant turn to save his life. Managed to pass to the player which the ball had already passed by. I mean are we talking about 80m English international or some school boy central defender here? Maguire panicked and fecked up a simple pass. A lot of GK around the world play that kind of risky pass, but get away with it because their central defender can actually play football

The pass De Gea makes to Martinez in that clip is an absolute hospital pass too. Martinez is great with the ball at his feet and only just about gets away with it. The expectation shouldn't be that the defender has to take a man on in his own box to aid for the fact that his goalkeeper can't make the correct pass at a very basic level.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

City and other teams ditched this style of goalkeeper almost a decade ago. The sweeper keeper has been around ages now.

It's no surprise to anyone that we are miles behind other clubs but this is just one of the examples as to why. We aren't a forward thinking club anymore like we once was.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

He gave him the ball but not where he wanted it, Maguire's is signalling for the ball he wants it Infront of him, he is on the half turn, De Gea gives him the ball behind him and forces him to check himself and end up compleatly closed off and totally in the shit.

Maguire is just fully at the defeated by De Gea stage, with very little trust in him. It will happen to Varane (the signs are already there that it is) and Martinez soon enough if they keep playing with him.

Over the last 10 years or so, first Vidic and Rio weren't good enough anymore. Then Evans wasn't good enough. Then Jones and Smalling weren't good enough. Then Blind and Bailly. Then Lindelof and Maguire. And even this season, with everyone seeming to love Varane and Martinez, our goals against is absolutely horrible. And during all that time, there has been one consistent that has never been questioned until recently (personally I was disappointed when the fax machine "didn't work"). The man between the pipes...

 

[NLunited]

Over the last 10 years or so, first Vidic and Rio weren't good enough anymore. Then Evans wasn't good enough. Then Jones and Smalling weren't good enough. Then Blind and Bailly. Then Lindelof and Maguire. And even this season, with everyone seeming to love Varane and Martinez, our goals against is absolutely horrible. And during all that time, there has been one consistent that has never been questioned until recently (personally I was disappointed when the fax machine "didn't work"). The man between the pipes...

Ya that must be it. Most clean sheets this season. I’m pretty sure it isn’t it.

 

[marksam91]

I am not blind but i am not going to waste any more time on this.

Maybe see this video and see what a proper footballer can do when he is pressed.

Maguire was slow as feck in not only receiving the pass but also cant turn to save his life. Managed to pass to the player which the ball had already passed by. I mean are we talking about 80m English international or some school boy central defender here? Maguire panicked and fecked up a simple pass. A lot of GK around the world play that kind of risky pass, but get away with it because their central defender can actually play football

I find it absurd people are actually trying to use this clip as a defense of De Gea. All it shows is that he has a history of needlessly putting our defense under pressure by giving them poor passes. As someone mentioned earlier, he did the same in the Brentford match earlier in the season.

Don't get me wrong; Maguire fecked up and deserves a lot of the blame, but De Gea is just as responsible. And, as this clip shows, this pass was not an exception.

 

[Sylar]

You can have a clean sheet without facing a single shot. That has no indication of how you are as a goalkeeper


Surely people understand this no?

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

I can remember quite a few throughout the years actually.

In a big must win game? No you can’t because we haven’t had that many

 

[McGrathsipan]

I'd probably have expressed it slightly more delicately, but I think you've nailed the essence of what happened here.

Debating who was more at fault is, in the inimitable words of the late Sean Lock, a bit like debating whether you'd rather eat dog shite or cow shite.

Sean Lock was a wordsmith

 

[Rolaholic]

In a big must win game? No you can’t because we haven’t had that many

On the flip side, I remember quite vividly him not coming close to saving a single penalty during the EL final against Villareal

 

[glazed]

Why are we all acting so shocked that DdG is a weak passer and not a sweeper keeper. We've known this all along. He's actually gotten a lot better recently and may yet become acceptably average in that department. One mistake doesn't change the calculus that we should upgrade if we want to win anything important, but he's pretty good until then.

We went out to Sevilla because we played too many games and had too many injuries. We should never have been going into that game on 2-2 with Maguire.

 

[DownRiver]

This clip could have been used against Sevilla

 

[KikiDaKats]

I don’t rate his shot stopping higher than any good goalkeeper out there. I also believe if a better option shows up we have to sign them, just don’t want us signing a goalkeeper that might not be a very good one because we are weary of DDG.
Him being here should have no bearing on whether Henderson, YT or a new net minder comes.
Just make available to the manager the very best of players that are suitable to his aspirations and stop this campaign to get rid out there should stop. It’s disruptive.

 

[OrcaFat]

He is what he is.

1 He’s a good stopper and does make some amazing saves.

2 He is poor on crosses / commanding the box

3 He is poor at sweeping / playing out.

If these are the key competencies, he’s lacking in two out of three. Surely we can do better but the question is when to replace him (and with whom - to give us a net improvement on the key competencies)? How high a priority is it, given our budget is probably quite limited?

 

[Hester_manc]

Enough is enough - if possible I would like United to buy Martinez from Aston Villa instead.

 

[joedirt87]

Ten Hag shouldn't be asking him to play passes like this when he clearly can't do it consistently, if you're going to play him then let him do what he is comforatable with, for what you gain to the risk involved it just seems unnecessary in my eyes.

Anyway I expect him to stay, but then quickly see his United career go the same way as Mctominay, Lindelof, and Maguire's has.

Maybe the Nottingham Forest game gave ten Hag a false sense of confidence playing out the back, but we all could see that disaster was bound to happen with DDG and this set of defenders. if ten Hag's instructions were for DDG to go long with it and he ignored to do it then it's time to drop DDG. Going forward ETH has got to adjust in the same way that he did after Brighton and Brentford. Kick it long, try and press from the front to win it back. Brighton will press them, Tottenham at home will press them, Villa will press them and this team can't be bothered to come back from terrible mistakes.

 

[KikiDaKats]

He is what he is.

1 He’s a good stopper and does make some amazing saves.

2 He is poor on crosses / commanding the box

3 He is poor at sweeping / playing out.

If these are the key competencies, he’s lacking in two out of three. Surely we can do better but the question is when to replace him (and with whom - to give us a net improvement on the key competencies)? How high a priority is it, given our budget is probably quite limited?

Improvement is always a key priority at United. If a better LCB to Martinez or AM to Bruno is availed to the club we should sign them, that’s how you get better. A top striker is no more of a priority than a better LB. We should not keep players because we have other priorities likewise I don’t believe in selling players to clear a position for a new signing.
Bring in the potential No1 and if he is better than DDG, naturally he starts and it’s down to DDG to improve or we move him on. This should be the model or else we will be rebuilding every other year.

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

What team with title/CL winning aspirations would buy DDG from us? When he leaves he’ll be at a mid table team in Spain or Italy.

 

[NinjaZombie]

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I've long advocated for us to replace De Gea so I'm glad all these stats are coming out showing his deficiencies.

He's been an excellent player for us but it's time to cut loose.

 

[OrcaFat]

Improvement is always a key priority at United. If a better LCB to Martinez or AM to Bruno is availed to the club we should sign them, that’s how you get better. A top striker is no more of a priority than a better LB. We should not keep players because we have other priorities likewise I don’t believe in selling players to clear a position for a new signing.
Bring in the potential No1 and if he is better than DDG, naturally he starts and it’s down to DDG to improve or we move him on. This should be the model or else we will be rebuilding every other year.

I’m not sure that makes any sense. I think what you’re saying is we need top players in every position.

But every transfer window we have to spend our budget as wisely as possible, don’t we? Some positions are more in need of strengthening than others. We absolutely need a top striker because we don’t really have one but we already have a top LCB, don’t we?

So you look at the squad and you try to buy guys who will give the most improvement and therefore you have to ask: do we need a striker more than we need a keeper? And you have to do that across the whole squad and prioritise.

 

[Jeppers7]

He’s been a great goalkeeper for us, was part of the last title winning team and was spectacular for five seasons…but he doesn’t fit where we want to be going forward and has been iffy for a good few years.

 

[sullydnl]

Improvement is always a key priority at United. If a better LCB to Martinez or AM to Bruno is availed to the club we should sign them, that’s how you get better. A top striker is no more of a priority than a better LB. We should not keep players because we have other priorities likewise I don’t believe in selling players to clear a position for a new signing.
Bring in the potential No1 and if he is better than DDG, naturally he starts and it’s down to DDG to improve or we move him on. This should be the model or else we will be rebuilding every other year.

That makes absolutely zero sense.

Every signing we make comes with opportunity cost, because we operate on a budget. So you obviously have to prioritise your biggest weaknesses to maximise improvement. So yes, a top striker is more of a priority than a LB.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

If he's still our number 1 next season and we carry on playing out from the back I won't hold DDG accountable any longer for these mistakes.

He's still a solid keeper playing a different style. This style doesn't suit him at all.

 

[KikiDaKats]

I’m not sure that makes any sense. I think what you’re saying is we need top players in every position.

But every transfer window we have to spend our budget as wisely as possible, don’t we? Some positions are more in need of strengthening than others. We absolutely need a top striker because we don’t really have one but we already have a top LCB, don’t we?

So you look at the squad and you try to buy guys who will give the most improvement and therefore you have to ask: do we need a striker more than we need a keeper? And you have to do that across the whole squad and prioritise.

I understand your reasoning and can’t fault it. Just don’t believe prioritising one specific position is a good starting point.
We need a top striker like any ambitious club out there but so are other positions that make the team functional.
Varane has played about 19 games this season and people believe it’s not a problem area, RB the manager is not fully convinced by his options, DDG fans are not convinced, our midfield is being overrun by any half energetic midfield yet a striker is the priority?
They are all problem areas and we can’t back ourselves into a corner because a top striker this season would not have won us the league this season. We need to grow the team in its totality and not obsess on a striker.

 

[caid]

If he's still our number 1 next season and we carry on playing out from the back I won't hold DDG accountable any longer for these mistakes.

He's still a solid keeper playing a different style. This style doesn't suit him at all.

Nah, hes not. He'd need better control of his box in a low block. Manager isn't going to throw his gameplan out the window because of one player.

 

[KikiDaKats]

That makes absolutely zero sense.

Every signing we make comes with opportunity cost, because we operate on a budget. So you obviously have to prioritise your biggest weaknesses to maximise improvement. So yes, a top striker is more of a priority than a LB.

If having a top striker could not have won us the league this season, how does it become our priority for next season? You can say it’s part of our issues but not our main issue.

 

[SAFMUTD]

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A 20 minute fail compilation....20 minutes ffs. I don't think any other GK has been allowed to make so many mistakes without losing the starting spot.

 

[Lecland07]

I am not blind but i am not going to waste any more time on this.

Maybe see this video and see what a proper footballer can do when he is pressed.

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Maguire was slow as feck in not only receiving the pass but also cant turn to save his life. Managed to pass to the player which the ball had already passed by. I mean are we talking about 80m English international or some school boy central defender here? Maguire panicked and fecked up a simple pass. A lot of GK around the world play that kind of risky pass, but get away with it because their central defender can actually play football

That video shows that Martinez did well, but it was very close. That player on the right could have intercepted the pass quite easily.

De Gea's pass was awful there and put Martinez under unneeded pressure.

 

[Tango80]

If having a top striker could not have won us the league this season, how does it become our priority for next season? You can say it’s part of our issues but not our main issue.

It's absolutely our priority next season. We can't rely on Rashford alone next season. Backup defensive midfielder second on the list, then keeper.

Midfielder we also need, we needed to loan one because we didn't have enough. Keeper needs an upgrade so that's third.

 

[Sylar]

Im not gonna put too much time into this, but this was a discussion I had with friends on Whatsapp regarding DDG through the season (and previously) and how much of a liability hes been for United over the years despite some outstanding performances here and moments. (but as @Kag put it, he thrives in chaos, like a keeper at a bottom half club whos bombarded with shots and plays with backs against the wall). But when it comes to important moments... well...

So just going to pull it from there and show that everybody who keeps saying hes a top shot stopper or keeps bringing up 'mentality to play for United' are bonkers.
When it comes down to crunch moments, hes let us down in so many ways. A LOT for a keeper that is the highest paid by a significant amount:

Keep in mind im not going to talk about the issues hes had with Spain. Im also not going to take into consideration the couple of seasons whilst Ferguson was here. Nor league games overall (eg where we were going for top four). These are just tournaments (mostly knockout games) where its win or go home (so an extension of @Tony Clifton post from a few pages ago)

(Im sure you can find pictures / videos of the games mentioned below to see yourself - or ignore as some often do)
League Cup 13/14 Semi Final:
We are winning 1-0 against Sunderland in extra time (2-2 on aggregate but going through on the weird away goals). 119 minute he lets a goal go in (his fault). We equalise but lose on penalties.

Fa Cup 14/15 Quarter Final
Bad back pass by Valencia? But WTF was that challenge against Welbeck? I remember being at that game. Although most forgive him and say 'well hes not brave so...'

FA Cup 15/16 Final
The goal we conceded. A near post goal that a top goalkeeper should be saving. Thankfully we won this one

Europe League 15/16 Round 16
The Coutinho goal. Watch it again, he makes himself as small as possible and gets beaten (near post again. Right before half time and kills us (albeit we were horrible first le, but at 2-1 were still in it)

EFL Cup final 16/17
We had to score three goals despite leading 2-0. Watch his goalkeeping for the first goal. But maybe im being too harsh , but having a 'top shot stopper' should see us not concede this.

CL 17/18 Round 16
He pushes a header into his own net instead of out of the goal.

CL 18/19 QF
He lets a messi right foot shot from outside the box go under him to kill the tie for good.

Europa 19/20 Semi*
iirc Romero was our keeper through this tournament. We made it to the semi final against Sevilla. Needless to say we got knocked out. I wont fully blame this on DDG though cos our defence was a shambles ( only remember them having like two chances) whilst we missed countless chances

Fa Cup 19/20 Semi Final
Again, DDG comes in for Romero who was our keeper through the tournament. Cost us the first two goals.

CL 20/21 Group stage:
United vs Leipzig
We just needed a draw to go through. We lost 3-2. Look at their third goal... How can you actually make yourself as small as possible in a one on one position.

EL 20/21 Final
DDG became our 'cup' keeper as Henderson took over first choice.
In the final, I wont give him much grief for not saving a penalty, we know what to expect. And his own penalty miss is what it is.
But Villareal had a free kick nearer to the half way line than our goal, it landed on the six yard line, (where DDG started but some reason backed off) and then was beaten at his near post.

EL 22/23 QF
This was a few days ago so we all know....

(Keep in mind, the above doesnt take into consideration moments where he got away, like the one against Barca, or the one against PSG)

Hammerings. Hes been a consistent in a number of our hammerings (anything by 4 goal difference unless opposition scored more than 5 below):

4-0 MK Dons
4-0 Everton
4-0 Brighton
4-0 Chelsea
4-0 Brentford
6-1 Spurs
5-0 Liverpool
6-3 City
7-0 Liverpool
(Ones I can think of top of my head and a lot of these have been in recent times.)

His weaknesses are there for all to see. He is so meek, and ive never seen a keeper shirk challenges like him. He has no presence: whenever I go to games, you hardly see him communicating with his defence (mostly just moaning).
Ive never actually see a goalkeeper of ours (or any top team) pretend to get hurt, then turn his back to play so that the opposition can score. Unbelievable.
Hes had so many different defenders in front of him, survived several managers, different coaches, and been dismissed by several national team managers (as pretty much fifth choice at best) and yet there are still some people in 2023 (never mind from 2020) who believe we should have him as a first choice goalkeeper (or he should be renewed).

Hes been here for around ten years, hes given us good service , but it says a lot that since 2015 and the failed madrid move, no big team has had their eyes on him. This isnt about 'modern goalkeeping' this is just about having a goalkeeper who is not just decent at stopping shots.

Anyway, agenda and all that!

 

[OrcaFat]

I understand your reasoning and can’t fault it. Just don’t believe prioritising one specific position is a good starting point.
We need a top striker like any ambitious club out there but so are other positions that make the team functional.
Varane has played about 19 games this season and people believe it’s not a problem area, RB the manager is not fully convinced by his options, DDG fans are not convinced, our midfield is being overrun by any half energetic midfield yet a striker is the priority?
They are all problem areas and we can’t back ourselves into a corner because a top striker this season would not have won us the league this season. We need to grow the team in its totality and not obsess on a striker.

Yeah good point but we can only do so much in each transfer window. I would agree that we have lots of areas we need to strengthen. Keeper is one imo.

I do think striker is most important but it really depends who we are able to get (last time we tried to get a striker we got Weghorst so it’s not so easy as to say “buy Kane”). And so I agree with the sentiment that we need, for example, a CB or two, a RB and, why stop there, MF is dog shit unless everyone is fit and available.

The point is that if we have the funds and can actually get suitable players and end up having to choose between a top CF and a top keeper, for example, it will be a tough choice if we cannot afford both. In that situation, would we choose a CF or a keeper? - that’s what I’m getting at.

 

[caid]

Yeah good point but we can only do so much in each transfer window. I would agree that we have lots of areas we need to strengthen. Keeper is one imo.

I do think striker is most important but it really depends who we are able to get (last time we tried to get a striker we got Weghorst so it’s not so easy as to say “buy Kane”). And so I agree with the sentiment that we need, for example, a CB or two, a RB and, why stop there, MF is dog shit unless everyone is fit and available.

The point is that if we have the funds and can actually get suitable players and end up having to choose between a top CF and a top keeper, for example, it will be a tough choice if we cannot afford both. In that situation, would we choose a CF or a keeper? - that’s what I’m getting at.

I think cf is still more important. I think between letting Henderson and De Gea go we could get a keeper though so i dont think it matters. Doesn't need to be a world class position covered for a decade superstar signing. Theres plenty of good keepers who'd be an upgrade for low prices on the market.
Give him a pity contract on a reserve keeper wage if you must but you could buy a better keeper for the 200k+ a week contract hes looking for.

 

[KikiDaKats]

It's absolutely our priority next season. We can't rely on Rashford alone next season. Backup defensive midfielder second on the list, then keeper.

Midfielder we also need, we needed to loan one because we didn't have enough. Keeper needs an upgrade so that's third.

I understand the point being made here.

I’m not prioritising signing a netminder over any other position just don’t think we should ignore or make a lesser acquisition in some areas because others are more important.
This priority talk is borne out of the availability of Osimhen and Kane, people are worried we will miss an opportunity if either don’t get signed. A striker acquisition has always been a need. I bet if Allison was available in his best form we’ll all be up in arms discussion how much of a priority his signing is.
I will not deliberately advocate for us to sign a £15m quality player to allow for a priority £100m+ signing, I’d rather go without because that cheap sign was not deemed a pressing need in the first place or else we will make the necessary moves to get the funding, eg Casemiro signing.
If an upgrade is possible in “any” position we should make it instead of hanging around waiting for our priority striker. All signing we look at should be of importance to the team and capable of being better than what we have in-house.
I don’t like back up signings, I prefer competition. If we have an opportunity to sign Maignan right now I will take it but won’t pass it up for a priority striker signing. This conversation we never hear around Barca or Madrid transfers considering they also have their constraints.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Im not gonna put too much time into this, but this was a discussion I had with friends on Whatsapp regarding DDG through the season (and previously) and how much of a liability hes been for United over the years despite some outstanding performances here and moments. (but as @Kag put it, he thrives in chaos, like a keeper at a bottom half club whos bombarded with shots and plays with backs against the wall). But when it comes to important moments... well...

So just going to pull it from there and show that everybody who keeps saying hes a top shot stopper or keeps bringing up 'mentality to play for United' are bonkers.
When it comes down to crunch moments, hes let us down in so many ways. A LOT for a keeper that is the highest paid by a significant amount:

Keep in mind im not going to talk about the issues hes had with Spain. Im also not going to take into consideration the couple of seasons whilst Ferguson was here. Nor league games overall (eg where we were going for top four). These are just tournaments (mostly knockout games) where its win or go home (so an extension of @Tony Clifton post from a few pages ago)

(Im sure you can find pictures / videos of the games mentioned below to see yourself - or ignore as some often do)
League Cup 13/14 Semi Final:
We are winning 1-0 against Sunderland in extra time (2-2 on aggregate but going through on the weird away goals). 119 minute he lets a goal go in (his fault). We equalise but lose on penalties.

Fa Cup 14/15 Quarter Final
Bad back pass by Valencia? But WTF was that challenge against Welbeck? I remember being at that game. Although most forgive him and say 'well hes not brave so...'

FA Cup 15/16 Final
The goal we conceded. A near post goal that a top goalkeeper should be saving. Thankfully we won this one

Europe League 15/16 Round 16
The Coutinho goal. Watch it again, he makes himself as small as possible and gets beaten (near post again. Right before half time and kills us (albeit we were horrible first le, but at 2-1 were still in it)

EFL Cup final 16/17
We had to score three goals despite leading 2-0. Watch his goalkeeping for the first goal. But maybe im being too harsh , but having a 'top shot stopper' should see us not concede this.

CL 17/18 Round 16
He pushes a header into his own net instead of out of the goal.

CL 18/19 QF
He lets a messi right foot shot from outside the box go under him to kill the tie for good.

Europa 19/20 Semi*
iirc Romero was our keeper through this tournament. We made it to the semi final against Sevilla. Needless to say we got knocked out. I wont fully blame this on DDG though cos our defence was a shambles ( only remember them having like two chances) whilst we missed countless chances

Fa Cup 19/20 Semi Final
Again, DDG comes in for Romero who was our keeper through the tournament. Cost us the first two goals.

CL 20/21 Group stage:
United vs Leipzig
We just needed a draw to go through. We lost 3-2. Look at their third goal... How can you actually make yourself as small as possible in a one on one position.

EL 20/21 Final
DDG became our 'cup' keeper as Henderson took over first choice.
In the final, I wont give him much grief for not saving a penalty, we know what to expect. And his own penalty miss is what it is.
But Villareal had a free kick nearer to the half way line than our goal, it landed on the six yard line, (where DDG started but some reason backed off) and then was beaten at his near post.

EL 22/23 QF
This was a few days ago so we all know....

(Keep in mind, the above doesnt take into consideration moments where he got away, like the one against Barca, or the one against PSG)

Hammerings. Hes been a consistent in a number of our hammerings (anything by 4 goal difference unless opposition scored more than 5 below):

4-0 MK Dons
4-0 Everton
4-0 Brighton
4-0 Chelsea
4-0 Brentford
6-1 Spurs
5-0 Liverpool
6-3 City
7-0 Liverpool
(Ones I can think of top of my head and a lot of these have been in recent times.)

His weaknesses are there for all to see. He is so meek, and ive never seen a keeper shirk challenges like him. He has no presence: whenever I go to games, you hardly see him communicating with his defence (mostly just moaning).
Ive never actually see a goalkeeper of ours (or any top team) pretend to get hurt, then turn his back to play so that the opposition can score. Unbelievable.
Hes had so many different defenders in front of him, survived several managers, different coaches, and been dismissed by several national team managers (as pretty much fifth choice at best) and yet there are still some people in 2023 (never mind from 2020) who believe we should have him as a first choice goalkeeper (or he should be renewed).

Hes been here for around ten years, hes given us good service , but it says a lot that since 2015 and the failed madrid move, no big team has had their eyes on him. This isnt about 'modern goalkeeping' this is just about having a goalkeeper who is not just decent at stopping shots.

Anyway, agenda and all that!

There is nothing agenda about this, just pure facts. We've all seen it for years and years. Nobody should be blaming the club's failures on him and we can thank him for his services but his individual contributions haven't been good enough for us to persist with him now.

 

[KikiDaKats]

Yeah good point but we can only do so much in each transfer window. I would agree that we have lots of areas we need to strengthen. Keeper is one imo.

I do think striker is most important but it really depends who we are able to get (last time we tried to get a striker we got Weghorst so it’s not so easy as to say “buy Kane”). And so I agree with the sentiment that we need, for example, a CB or two, a RB and, why stop there, MF is dog shit unless everyone is fit and available.

The point is that if we have the funds and can actually get suitable players and end up having to choose between a top CF and a top keeper, for example, it will be a tough choice if we cannot afford both. In that situation, would we choose a CF or a keeper? - that’s what I’m getting at.

I am not as forgiving of the clubs as most fans. This club has the money but fans accept the narrative the club gives us. Woodward was busy spamming big money on players for their fan appeal whilst telling us we lack funding to buy what we really need.

It’s funny how we had money to buy Casemiro when it looked like the ship was sinking. They’ve hung unto this striker priority all season and everyone is just accepted its the way to go, the rest we will cf. Let them manage the club like every other club does and stop managing the fans.

We don’t have a specific priority, we have needs that need addressing. ETH or any other manager can only do as much without all the tools.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

Nah, hes not. He'd need better control of his box in a low block. Manager isn't going to throw his gameplan out the window because of one player.

Could cost him his job then. Dave can't play out from back

 

[Big Ben Foster]

Im not gonna put too much time into this, but this was a discussion I had with friends on Whatsapp regarding DDG through the season (and previously) and how much of a liability hes been for United over the years despite some outstanding performances here and moments. (but as @Kag put it, he thrives in chaos, like a keeper at a bottom half club whos bombarded with shots and plays with backs against the wall). But when it comes to important moments... well...

So just going to pull it from there and show that everybody who keeps saying hes a top shot stopper or keeps bringing up 'mentality to play for United' are bonkers.
When it comes down to crunch moments, hes let us down in so many ways. A LOT for a keeper that is the highest paid by a significant amount:

Keep in mind im not going to talk about the issues hes had with Spain. Im also not going to take into consideration the couple of seasons whilst Ferguson was here. Nor league games overall (eg where we were going for top four). These are just tournaments (mostly knockout games) where its win or go home (so an extension of @Tony Clifton post from a few pages ago)

(Im sure you can find pictures / videos of the games mentioned below to see yourself - or ignore as some often do)
League Cup 13/14 Semi Final:
We are winning 1-0 against Sunderland in extra time (2-2 on aggregate but going through on the weird away goals). 119 minute he lets a goal go in (his fault). We equalise but lose on penalties.

Fa Cup 14/15 Quarter Final
Bad back pass by Valencia? But WTF was that challenge against Welbeck? I remember being at that game. Although most forgive him and say 'well hes not brave so...'

FA Cup 15/16 Final
The goal we conceded. A near post goal that a top goalkeeper should be saving. Thankfully we won this one

Europe League 15/16 Round 16
The Coutinho goal. Watch it again, he makes himself as small as possible and gets beaten (near post again. Right before half time and kills us (albeit we were horrible first le, but at 2-1 were still in it)

EFL Cup final 16/17
We had to score three goals despite leading 2-0. Watch his goalkeeping for the first goal. But maybe im being too harsh , but having a 'top shot stopper' should see us not concede this.

CL 17/18 Round 16
He pushes a header into his own net instead of out of the goal.

CL 18/19 QF
He lets a messi right foot shot from outside the box go under him to kill the tie for good.

Europa 19/20 Semi*
iirc Romero was our keeper through this tournament. We made it to the semi final against Sevilla. Needless to say we got knocked out. I wont fully blame this on DDG though cos our defence was a shambles ( only remember them having like two chances) whilst we missed countless chances

Fa Cup 19/20 Semi Final
Again, DDG comes in for Romero who was our keeper through the tournament. Cost us the first two goals.

CL 20/21 Group stage:
United vs Leipzig
We just needed a draw to go through. We lost 3-2. Look at their third goal... How can you actually make yourself as small as possible in a one on one position.

EL 20/21 Final
DDG became our 'cup' keeper as Henderson took over first choice.
In the final, I wont give him much grief for not saving a penalty, we know what to expect. And his own penalty miss is what it is.
But Villareal had a free kick nearer to the half way line than our goal, it landed on the six yard line, (where DDG started but some reason backed off) and then was beaten at his near post.

EL 22/23 QF
This was a few days ago so we all know....

(Keep in mind, the above doesnt take into consideration moments where he got away, like the one against Barca, or the one against PSG)

Hammerings. Hes been a consistent in a number of our hammerings (anything by 4 goal difference unless opposition scored more than 5 below):

4-0 MK Dons
4-0 Everton
4-0 Brighton
4-0 Chelsea
4-0 Brentford
6-1 Spurs
5-0 Liverpool
6-3 City
7-0 Liverpool
(Ones I can think of top of my head and a lot of these have been in recent times.)

His weaknesses are there for all to see. He is so meek, and ive never seen a keeper shirk challenges like him. He has no presence: whenever I go to games, you hardly see him communicating with his defence (mostly just moaning).
Ive never actually see a goalkeeper of ours (or any top team) pretend to get hurt, then turn his back to play so that the opposition can score. Unbelievable.
Hes had so many different defenders in front of him, survived several managers, different coaches, and been dismissed by several national team managers (as pretty much fifth choice at best) and yet there are still some people in 2023 (never mind from 2020) who believe we should have him as a first choice goalkeeper (or he should be renewed).

Hes been here for around ten years, hes given us good service , but it says a lot that since 2015 and the failed madrid move, no big team has had their eyes on him. This isnt about 'modern goalkeeping' this is just about having a goalkeeper who is not just decent at stopping shots.

Anyway, agenda and all that!

Very damning. I know the focus of your post is cup results but I also can't forget his howlers in the 2018-19 run-in when we were chasing a top four spot, which cost us any chance we had of CL qualification.

Overall, there's a very consistent pattern with him: when the pressure is on to get a result, he crumbles. It's no surprise that his best seasons were the ones where we weren't chasing anything, either because we were miles off where we needed to be (e.g., the Moyes season) or in a comfortable position where we weren't fighting for the title but had no trouble qualifying for the CL (e.g., Mourinho's second season).

 

[OrcaFat]

I am not as forgiving of the clubs as most fans. This club has the money but fans accept the narrative the club gives us. Woodward was busy spamming big money on players for their fan appeal whilst telling us we lack funding to buy what we really need.

It’s funny how we had money to buy Casemiro when it looked like the ship was sinking. They’ve hung unto this striker priority all season and everyone is just accepted its the way to go, the rest we will cf. Let them manage the club like every other club does and stop managing the fans.

We don’t have a specific priority, we have needs that need addressing. ETH or any other manager can only do as much without all the tools.

Sure but let me put it this way: would you rather we got a new striker or a new keeper?

 

[PSV]

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A 20 minute fail compilation....20 minutes ffs. I don't think any other GK has been allowed to make so many mistakes without losing the starting spot.

It's a 20 minute compilation of conceded goals........