The goalkeeper had a big part to play in Bruno Fernandes' spectacular goal for Manchester United in the 4-1 win over Newcastle at the weekend.
Follow Us
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is known for his reflexes all these years. Along with his goalkeeping abilities, the shot-stopper has also added another skill set to his game – ball distribution. In recent years, he has been praised for quickly releasing the ball from the back. It was evident over the weekend as well after the Spaniard played a big part in Bruno Fernandes’ spectacular goal for United in the 4-1 win over Newcastle. De Gea volleyed an inch-perfect long pass upfield to find Mason Greenwood on the break. The ball found its way to Fernandes, who fired a screamer after receiving it from Paul Pogba. After the match, the goalkeeper joked that he should have had half an assist for Fernandes’ wonder goal on Saturday.
When asked about his part in the move that led to the goal, he told the club media, “It should be half an assist! [Smiles] I have done this many times. Sometimes, you make a good pass but it doesn’t end in a goal so it takes on less importance. I like to pass the ball and play as quickly as possible because I know we have fast players in the team so we try to play quick on the counter-attack.”
“I feel very well, I feel strong, confident,” he added. “I try to train at 100 per cent every day and help the team all the time… with the distribution and with everything, with the boys at the back, with some presence, I’m here to help the team.”
Manchester United kick off their Champions League campaign against Young Boys. De Gea is hoping that the squad learns from last season’s group-stage disappointment in the competition. “First of all, we don’t want to feel the same as we felt last season,” he explained. “We have strong teams in the group and we need to start very well and continue to the end of the group.
“To be in Champions League is always great. We won here three years ago with a full stadium, the fans here are very good so it will be nice to play here again and, as well, it’s going to be a tough game. Let’s see what happens, we start here, so let’s play well and let’s win.”
“It’s always amazing, playing in Europe. Me and the club have big ambitions,” he added. “We want to win everything, we have a very good team and we have signed very good players. We need to stay calm and go game by game.”
With Cristiano Ronaldo and Raphael Varane joining United this summer, the club now has multiple Champions League winners in their ranks. Speaking about it, their manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said, “It can only be a good thing, of course. With Cristiano and Raphael coming in, they won it four times with Real Madrid and Cristiano won it here with us as well. I think it’s great for everyone in the team and in the squad to see those players up close. They’ve come in, gelled really well with the group and they’re here to help the team.”
Speaking about their opening match in the Champions League, Ole said, “Yes, the atmosphere’s going to be brilliant. They had a big game at the weekend against Zurich, they were top of the league, and they played really well. It’s a team of athletes, with loads of athleticism and high energy, and with the crowd, I’m sure they’re going to give it a good go.”
