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The game between Manchester United and Liverpool last night at Old Trafford was built up as the greatest rivalry in English football. Everybody who bore witness to this spectacle soon realized that the score board was not a fair indicator of Liverpool’s performance. They created more chances than the home side and had the lion share of possession as well. So why didn’t they win?
It was cause a certain David De Gea, who formed United’s last line of defence, was having the game of his life. Making 8 saves and frustrating Liverpool’s attack, De Gea unsurprisingly collected the Man of the Match award. A stark contrast to the player we all knew him to be a few years ago.
He came to Old Trafford in the summer of 2011 amidst intense speculation about his ability to fill the shoes of Edwin Van Der Sar. The Old Trafford faithful were still reeling in the loss of the flying Dutchman when Manchester United decided to go ahead with a £17.8 million bid (a British record) for De Gea.
The Spaniard was gaining fame following his antics in Atletico’s UEFA Europa League and UEFA Super cup victories.
But none of these accolades were enough to placate the ardent Manchester United fan, who believed Van Der Sar was irreplaceable and did not understand the need to splash so much money on a young goalkeeper who was neither tried nor tested. But Sir Alex knew better.
It is safe to say that David De Gea has lived up to the hype. The past three seasons in a United jersey have seen him rise from being the most hated to the most loved around Old Trafford.
Baptism by Fire
The inexperience and failure to deal with the pressure of playing a big club like Manchester United was evident in De Gea’s initial performances. United fans will vividly remember his performance in the Community Shield against Manchester City where his inability to deal with a header from Lescott and a strike from Edin Dzeko saw United go 0-2 down at half time. Experts and pundits criticized not just his goalkeeping skills but also Sir Alex Ferguson’s foresight in giving De Gea the United No.1 jersey.
The first season was turbulent at best for De Gea who seemed to be proving every critic and cynic right. The 2-1 defeat against West Brom and the shocking Champions League exit at the hands of FC Basel were put on his tab even though the defenders did little to help him out. The last thing he needed was the 1-6 mauling at the hands of Manchester City.
The fingers were pointing yet again at the Spaniard when he failed to keep out the third goal in a 2-3 defeat against lowly Blackburn rovers. His lack of confidence was evident every time he stuck his legs to keep the ball out of the net rather than go down with his hands. This unconventional technique of his also proved ineffective as it provided lurking strikers with easy tap-ins.
Moments surfaced now and then when Old Trafford held its collective breadth in applause for their new No.1. The penalty save keeping Robin Van Persie (who was then an Arsenal player) at bay and the score at 1-0 paved the way for United’s 8-2 thumping of the Gunners. His late save from a Juan Mata (A Chelsea stalwart at the time) free kick was considered, in retrospect, as the turning point in his career. David De Gea’s 29 appearances in 2011-12 for United were not all bad.
He did make some amazing saves but his first season was destined to be remembered for his failure to keep out goals which proved fatal in the title race and was also responsible for cup exits on the domestic and continental front.
Three and a half years later
Turn the clock three years forward and you will not find the lanky uncertain youngster who all United fans dreaded to see in front of goal. Rather, you will find a finely tuned muscular man who has become the backbone of the current Manchester United squad. Having been voted the Player’s player of the year and the Fan’s player of the year at the end of the 2013-14 season, it was Old Trafford faithful had begun to trust him.
Louis Van Gaal spent close to £150 million this summer to obtain the services of the likes of Angel Di Maria, Radamel Falcao, Ander Herrera, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw. These players brought with them a wave of optimism and ambition but little did fans know that David De Gea would out shine all of them.
In the season that has gone by, United’s defense has looked shaky at best. This weakness at the back has only helped bring De Gea’s abilities to the fore. He was solely responsible for securing the 3 points in many of the league fixtures this season. The penalty save against Everton saw him become the first keeper to stop Leighton Baines from the spot.
A series of crucial saves in the games against Everton, West Ham and Chelsea saw him become the Player of the Month in October.
De Gea’s antics kept the difference to just one goal in United’s 0-1 defeat in the Manchester Derby. The Spaniard frustrated the Arsenal attack when he managed to ward off shot after shot in a game few would argue United deserved to win. The Jack Wilshere one-on-one save being the highlight in United’s 2-1 win at the Emirates on that occasion.
Following such performances this season, fans now believe David De Gea has realized his true potential. Three years down the line, Sir Alex’s decision to bring him to the club is being appreciated by experts and fans alike.
Chasing Greatness
The comparisons have grown in stature with names such as Peter Schmeichel, Edwin Van Der Sar and Alex Stepney being whispered in the same breath as that of David De Gea. Admittedly, this is the infancy of his career at Old Trafford but he has quickly grown to become the most reliable in the starting lineup striking fear in the most lethal of Premier League attacks.
If rumors are to be believed, United are set to make an offer the Spaniard cannot refuse.
A five-year contract with a hefty pay package will go a long way in settling fears of his possible move away from Old Trafford this summer. David De Gea definitely has what it takes to shine at the club as well as on a global stage. If only the defenders gave him a helping hand, United could make a serious title bid.
