What's happened to De Gea?

RikRuud

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Still a great keeper but his stock has certainly fallen. It would be interesting to know how many points his errors alone have cost the team this season.
 

SadlerMUFC

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Needs to take a paycut and go back to Spain. He's done at our club now. This is more than 10 mistakes now in less than 2 years. Dreadful.
And that's just the mistakes that they count. There have been several others that they don't count. Things like him not coming off his line when he should, or goals that are scored because of his horrible positioning. He used to be a great shot stopper, but he was going off pure raw talent. He still hasn't learned how to play his position properly, and when the agility starts to go, not being brilliant at the basics of the position exposes you. VDS was never an agile keeper, but he was so brilliant at the basics that he was able to make a long successful career for himself (Juve years aside). But there are goals like the one Rodriguez scored this year that he doesn't get blamed for, yet if he was the proper position it would have been a routine save. Look at his position. He's standing on his goal line leaning towards the middle of the goal. He should be off his line and closer to near post as that's the only spot Rodriguez could have shot at...

 

Lj82

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He will not get mentioned in the same vein as The Great Dane and Edwin van der Sar, let alone as one of the best keepers of all time.

Gte rid of him. Romero first choice keeper next season with Dean Henderson as backup.
VDS' biggest strength is his mental fortitude. Like all keepers, he makes mistakes. But he never dwells on them and he recovers very fast. De Gea is the opposite. When he let's in a soft goal he looks defeated and feeling sorry for himself.
 

RikRuud

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You can't honestly still think that?
Honestly I do but he's probably outside the top 10 keepers now which is a big concern for a team with the ambition we have. He's been culpable a lot this season and a portion of last season too. We have Romero and Henderson has had a great season. Could be time for a move.
 

sparx99

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The big worry with De Gea has to be his game was always based on his shot-stopping and reflexes. His reflexes aren't going to improve with age and his mental state is a problem. His best form has always been when we are under a lot of pressure and he can make a lot of saves. Since we have improved a bit and he has had less to do he is making mental errors. He has been similar with Spain where he has little to do and then makes mistakes.
 

Nou_Camp99

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Still a great keeper but his stock has certainly fallen. It would be interesting to know how many points his errors alone have cost the team this season.
There's 8 or 9 better in the PL alone. He's not that superstar anymore. That fiasco at Russia 2018 seems to have killed him. Not been the same player since.

He should be dropped for the final 2 games for Romero and Henderson needs to be number 1 next season.
 

Lj82

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Still a great keeper but his stock has certainly fallen. It would be interesting to know how many points his errors alone have cost the team this season.
It has reached a point where every shot the opposition takes you fear that it will be going in.
 

Schmeichel's Cartwheel

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It's not poor form. It's a big decline. Torres was in "poor form" for about 3 years before the media realised he was shit, I see the same with DDG. People still calling him "one of the best goalkeepers" he's literally been one of the worst keepers in the PL this season.

Still a great keeper but his stock has certainly fallen. It would be interesting to know how many points his errors alone have cost the team this season.
He is a mistake prone inconsistent goalkeeper who is capable of a spectacular save. He's basically become Fabian Barthez.
 

Halftrack

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He will not get mentioned in the same vein as The Great Dane and Edwin van der Sar, let alone as one of the best keepers of all time.

Gte rid of him. Romero first choice keeper next season with Dean Henderson as backup.
Maybe not, but not for lack of ability. His modest trophy haul compared to the other two is what will keep him from being mentioned alongside them.
 

bondsname

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Not to make excuses for De Gea, but who is our goalkeeper coach? Didn't we lose one recently?
 

caid

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I think we need to buy a new keeper in the summer. I think it should probably be our top priority ahead of right wing at this point.
My only question in whether to drop him or not would be around how much harder it would be to sell him, but then if he keeps letting in goals like today then it cant hurt. I trust and rate Romero more than him at this point.
 

JoaquinJoaquin

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Still a great keeper but his stock has certainly fallen. It would be interesting to know how many points his errors alone have cost the team this season.
No he isn't. He is an average keeper now, maybe even less than average.
 

DSG

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There's 8 or 9 better in the PL alone. He's not that superstar anymore. That fiasco at Russia 2018 seems to have killed him. Not been the same player since.

He should be dropped for the final 2 games for Romero and Henderson needs to be number 1 next season.
This. Lloris, Emerson, Allison, Leno, Schmeichel, Henderson, Pope have all had better seasons in the PL alone.

If we want to challenge for titles, DeGea needs to be replaced.
 

Florida Man

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I mean, you can’t really blame him for playing the highest paid goalkeeper in the world.
To be a long term success as manager of a big club, Ole should be able to make big decisions like this. Being pressured to play someone because of high wages is a terrible, trait. Ole would be wise to drop De Gea for Romero in the next matches.
 

Nou_Camp99

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This. Lloris, Emerson, Allison, Leno, Schmeichel, Henderson, Pope have all had better seasons in the PL alone.

If we want to challenge for titles, DeGea needs to be replaced.
The curse of the mega contract. Rooney went downhill. Sanchez flopped and now Dave.
 

Jaqen H'ghar

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Romero deserves a shot for the remaining 4-6 matches of the season. He needs a long holiday and to get focused again. Reflexes are still there, but his hands now seem to have holes.
I agree with this.

I have no idea if he's carrying an injury that has affected his reflex, going through issues that have affected his concentration or just lost his hunger and desire for the game, but until its been sorted it out he shouldn't be playing.
 

DSG

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The curse of the mega contract. Rooney went downhill. Sanchez flopped and now Dave.
Yes and no. Rooney would lose the ball, sprint 60 yards to get it back. He left the club honorably, in my opinion. It was time after years of service. Sanchez was / is a flat out mercenary.

For Dave, it’s just time. I think he needs a reset as well. Needs to go to Italy or Spain.
 

diarm

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Still a great keeper but his stock has certainly fallen. It would be interesting to know how many points his errors alone have cost the team this season.
  • Wolves 19th August - Bit controversial this one maybe as it's a brilliant strike from Neves, but I'm convinced if he goes with his left hand rather than the spectacular crossover here he saves it. 2 points.
  • Palace 24th August - Shocking positioning for the first, allowing Ayew to roll the ball into half an empty net. Totally fluffs Van Aarnolts shot at the near post for the second. 3 points.
  • West Ham 22nd September - Very weak on the Cresswell freekick but we lost 2-0 and he wasn't at fault for the first goal. 0 points.
  • Arsenal 30th September - Does his silly kneeling turn sideways thing and allows Aubameyang to chip it straight through him. 2 points.
  • Sheffield Utd 24th November - Fluffs a soft shot from McBurnie at the death after the team have fought back to lead the game. 2 points.
  • Everton 15th December - Comes out and flaps at a corner, misses it completely and ball bounces off a helpless Lindelof for an own goal. 2 points
  • Watford 22nd December - A series of howlers in this game set the tone for an abysmal loss. He got lucky with one feck up as the ref blew for a nothing foul. Then let in a disgraceful opener and late, dived out of the way of a Deeney "only ever puts it down the middle" penalty. 2 points.
  • Burnley 22nd January - Beaten twice at his near post. 2 points.
  • Everton 1st March - Dawdles on a clearance kick, boots it off Calvert-Lewin and into the net. 2 points.
  • Spurs 19th June - Fluffs a routine Bergwyn shot from distance. 2 points.

That's 19 points just in the league. It doesn't include the howlers in games we've gone on to win, or todays shit show. I've also left out a few other games where I thought he was weak, even if you can't put the blame fully down to him, like last week against Southampton when he does the stupid sideways slide to make himself smaller for the first goal, and then shows a total absence of command in the area for the second.

Obviously this is a very harsh breakdown, ignoring the good saves he's made and taking blame off defenders who allowed shots in or attackers who didn't score enough goals to make up for his errors. But he is a Manchester United goalkeeper on 350k a week - if he's not making those saves and keeps making these errors he has no business being here.

Any idea of sentiment needs to be put to bed now. We have a talented young keeper in Henderson and we need to invest the time he needs in a starting shirt immediately. Romero should play the last two games of the season.
 

Djemba-Djemba

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  • Wolves 19th August - Bit controversial this one maybe as it's a brilliant strike from Neves, but I'm convinced if he goes with his left hand rather than the spectacular crossover here he saves it. 2 points.
  • Palace 24th August - Shocking positioning for the first, allowing Ayew to roll the ball into half an empty net. Totally fluffs Van Aarnolts shot at the near post for the second. 3 points.
  • West Ham 22nd September - Very weak on the Cresswell freekick but we lost 2-0 and he wasn't at fault for the first goal. 0 points.
  • Arsenal 30th September - Does his silly kneeling turn sideways thing and allows Aubameyang to chip it straight through him. 2 points.
  • Sheffield Utd 24th November - Fluffs a soft shot from McBurnie at the death after the team have fought back to lead the game. 2 points.
  • Everton 15th December - Comes out and flaps at a corner, misses it completely and ball bounces off a helpless Lindelof for an own goal. 2 points
  • Watford 22nd December - A series of howlers in this game set the tone for an abysmal loss. He got lucky with one feck up as the ref blew for a nothing foul. Then let in a disgraceful opener and late, dived out of the way of a Deeney "only ever puts it down the middle" penalty. 2 points.
  • Burnley 22nd January - Beaten twice at his near post. 2 points.
  • Everton 1st March - Dawdles on a clearance kick, boots it off Calvert-Lewin and into the net. 2 points.
  • Spurs 19th June - Fluffs a routine Bergwyn shot from distance. 2 points.

That's 19 points just in the league. It doesn't include the howlers in games we've gone on to win, or todays shit show. I've also left out a few other games where I thought he was weak, even if you can't put the blame fully down to him, like last week against Southampton when he does the stupid sideways slide to make himself smaller for the first goal, and then shows a total absence of command in the area for the second.

Obviously this is a very harsh breakdown, ignoring the good saves he's made and taking blame off defenders who allowed shots in or attackers who didn't score enough goals to make up for his errors. But he is a Manchester United goalkeeper on 350k a week - if he's not making those saves and keeps making these errors he has no business being here.

Any idea of sentiment needs to be put to bed now. We have a talented young keeper in Henderson and we need to invest the time he needs in a starting shirt immediately. Romero should play the last two games of the season.
Going to add to this his mistakes in the last few months of the 18/19 season.

1) Long range mediocre shot from Granit Xhaka that De Gea completely misreads to make it 1-0 Arsenal. We lose 2-0
2) Hesitant to come off his line away to Wolves, gets into a tangle with Smalling leading to an own goal to make it 2-1 Wolves. We lose 2-1
3) Dives over a soft effort from Messi away to Barcelona in the CL to make it 2-0. Chances are we were out anyway but his mistake completely ended the tie.
4) Beaten far too easily at his near post from a shot by Sane right at him at home to City to make it 2-0. We lose 2-0
5) In an absolutely crucial match for top 4 spills a routine shot against Chelsea allowing Alonso to score to make it 1-1. The game finishes 1-1 ending our chances of CL football.

Again, there were other mistakes I could have used, poor kick out leading to a goal at home to West Ham, chocolate wrists to a long range shot at home to Southampton costing us a goal, almost blowing us winning in Paris by being too scared to come off his line and catch the ball.

He is a complete and utter liability. Every shot on target against us and I panic.
 

glazed

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It's his girlfriend I reckon. She never wanted to come here and she's making him unhappy and unsettling him because she wants to go home. But he can't because the Spaniards all blame him for 2018 World Cup disaster.

He needs to go back to Spain basically, but they don't want him any more.
 

DRJosh

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Sometimes the best thing you can do for a player is dropping them. We are at the cusp of CL qualification. De Gea probably needs to feel like he is competing for the first team again. This will be a test of Ole's mettle.
 

Borys

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I don't think he should be dropped right now. I believe we need to finish the season with De Gea in Goal, this should be enough for what we have to play this season.

However, there is a question mark on whether he should still be first choice for next season. Which makes thinks more difficult as I doubt we (or anybody) can afford to bench 300k/w goalkeeper.

I don't think it's a mental thing though, it seems like a decline, and I doubt he can recover at this stage.
 

meamth

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De Gea's mistake nowadays seems like he is too confident with his hands to catch the ball rather than pounce it clear.

Many times this season when opposition shoots low and hard, he is capable of catching it cleanly, but sadly many of his mistakes seems very similar.

He needs to cut that out, be like De Gea of old, just parry it clear.
 

WR10

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The ‘mistake’ is something you’d do 1 in 100 saves. De Gea makes it 1 in 10. These really relegate him to below average level. You just can’t. Whats his running tally for this season?

I know there’s some statisticians out there - he surely must be 2 standard deviations higher above the average number of mistakes amongst PL keepers?
 

Scholsey2004

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And that's just the mistakes that they count. There have been several others that they don't count. Things like him not coming off his line when he should, or goals that are scored because of his horrible positioning. He used to be a great shot stopper, but he was going off pure raw talent. He still hasn't learned how to play his position properly, and when the agility starts to go, not being brilliant at the basics of the position exposes you. VDS was never an agile keeper, but he was so brilliant at the basics that he was able to make a long successful career for himself (Juve years aside). But there are goals like the one Rodriguez scored this year that he doesn't get blamed for, yet if he was the proper position it would have been a routine save. Look at his position. He's standing on his goal line leaning towards the middle of the goal. He should be off his line and closer to near post as that's the only spot Rodriguez could have shot at...

There's the fact that he doesn't take crosses as well. Things like that have been excused because the shot stopping was so good. Now it's not.
 

Web of Bissaka

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I don't think he care too much about making those mistakes

Considering how..
  • Ole (club manager) still praised him.
  • Ole still continue picking him (no signs of getting dropped at all -- zero!).
  • No threat = no need to put in more effort.
  • Expensive contract correlation with performances (see Sanchez).
  • I think he felt the club owe him for sticking and continue staying with us, and I do felt he thinks the club is beneath him at the back of his mind seeing how desperate the club and Ole is wanting him to stay and in picking him so much so they are willing to bow down and give him the amazing contract.
  • I also think the criticisms he gets in social media and on the pitch by fans are not enough.
  • Then again, why should he care? He wanted to leave anyway. United is never in his heart.
 

Flexdegea

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I don't think he care too much about making those mistakes

Considering how..
  • Ole (club manager) still praised him.
  • Ole still continue picking him (no signs of getting dropped at all -- zero!).
  • No threat = no need to put in more effort.
  • Expensive contract correlation with performances (see Sanchez).
  • I think he felt the club owe him for sticking and continue staying with us, and I do felt he thinks the club is beneath him at the back of his mind seeing how desperate the club and Ole is wanting him to stay and in picking him so much so they are willing to bow down and give him the amazing contract.
  • I also think the criticisms he gets in social media and on the pitch by fans are not enough.
  • Then again, why should he care?

You be mad If you think what happening at moment is because degea not getting dropped or getting called our publicity,......he clearly hurting. He is mentally shot imo


All Ole doing is not giving him one to the Bck of the head.
 

amolbhatia50k

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It's extremely worrisome that we seem to he content with De Gea despite the constant errors. Can see him carrying on with poor showings for another year or two before we get the hint that he's well past his best. Seems that we're indebted to him for staying with us all this whil.
 

Bojan11

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Club will have to write off that money. Losing matches or points due to his error is far grrater price to pay.
He can sit in the stands for all I care next season or at home. Let Romero or Henderson fight it out. We have other key areas to worry about. But give those two a season and if they aren’t up to it then get Oblak or another world class keeper.
 

sglowrider

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Club will have to write off that money. Losing matches or points due to his error is far grrater price to pay.
Easy to say but you forget that United is run like a business. And no business will every just write off £1.2M per month or £14M per year on a player for the 4 years, sitting on his arse.

The problem started with Woodward giving him such a huge wage increase and a long term contract when even back then there was signs fo decline.

Now we have Sanchez and De Gea being the financial millstones for our transfer strategies going forward.
 

Roane

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If DDG is benched and Romero takes over financially wouldn't we be where we are?

I mean both players get paid whichever one plays and surely the bonus payments for playing, winning etc would be same too or even less if contract based and Romero gets them

Romero deserves his chance. I for one feel more confident with him in goal

If we can shift DDG the all good. But if not then financially we lose more with his mistakes
 

hungrywing

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The new contract could also be causing him to over-try. Posted about this a couple of times before. Just another reason why it's extremely important to have a tiered wage structure.

If Woodward and Judge weren't incompetent - don't ever ever forget these two are still at the club - the top wage earners wouldn't be apart from each other by more than 10-15%.