Following the arrival of Erik ten Hag as Manchester United’s new manager, the club was expected to go through a major rebuilding phase with the shedding of dead wood and an injection of fresh blood.
The Dutchman did exactly that in the summer, when he filled key holes in the squad by permanently signing five players and loaning out a substitute goalkeeper.
The addition of Martin Dubravka was significant due to the form displayed by David de Gea in the recent past, with critics pointing out his weakness with the ball at his feet and his reluctance to step outside his line.
DDG’s problems and how it is overcoming its shortcomings
The Spaniard seemed to lack the two most important traits synonymous with modern goalkeepers and De Gea was widely expected to lose his number one status under the former Ajax boss.
And the season started disastrously for the 32-year-old, as he made high-profile mistakes in pre-season and against Brentford in the Premier League.
Unai Simon Spain #1
While David De Gea is sitting at home???? pic.twitter.com/YKauKEFVMf
— Joeknowsball (@joeknowstheball) December 1, 2022
Question marks were raised as critics and pundits clamored for the Spaniard’s departure from the club, with many reports mentioning that the Red Devils were hesitating whether to activate the one-year extension clause in his contract.
With De Gea’s contract expiring in 2023, the 20-time English champions linked up with a host of goalkeepers, but since then, the former Atlético Madrid have definitely upped their game.
His shot-stopping ability remains unmatched and, as the United manager pointed out, De Gea is certainly improving in the other areas of his game.
“For me, for a goalkeeper, you have to protect the goal and make sure you don’t concede goals. In that fact, he is magnificent.
Simon hit, DDG praised
“On his feet, for me, he also has the capabilities. I think when you see this season, he is progressing from one game to another in that part, ”Ten Hag had opined a while ago.
And it was a surprise to see Spain manager Luis Enrique overlook the United goalkeeper yet again when choosing his World Cup squad.
And United legend Gary Neville was critical of that decision, especially after Japan’s famous 2-1 win over the 2010 World Cup winners.
The Japanese scored the first goal with a shot from Ritsu Doan that entered the near post of Spanish goalkeeper Unai Simon.
And Neville, speaking on ITV (via the Daily Mail), criticized the goalkeeper and opined that De Gea would have been spared that and the nation’s blushes.
“It has not filled me with confidence. (Simon) the only part of the team that is a real weak point. You have to save that. That is not good.
“They still have De Gea at home. I know he hasn’t been bright these past few years, but I don’t think he’d let him in! That’s a very bad one. In a playoff game that is fatal for you.”
Interestingly, Simon has been linked with a move to the Premier League giants, but in this performance, perhaps De Gea deserves another chance.
