De Gea played an important role in between the posts to help Manchester United defeat Villarreal 2-0 in the Champions League.
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Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea was proud of the team’s display in the 2-0 win over Villarreal in the Champions League. De Gea felt it was a much-needed victory for the team following a “couple of tough weeks.” The shot-stopper was in fine form back in his native Spain, producing some vital saves to keep a deserved clean sheet against the Yellow Submarine. Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho – netted for the first time for United – clinched the win against Unai Emery’s side. Later in the night on Tuesday, in the other Group F encounter, Young Boys and Atalanta drew 3-3. It secured Red Devils the top spot in the group going into the draw for the last 16.
After the match, De Gea told MUTV: “Yeah, it’s always great to play in Spain, especially a Champions League game, good atmosphere. I think it was a massive three points for us today. Especially after a couple of tough weeks, so yeah, I think we showed good team spirit today. We play against a very difficult team, they play really well and I think what we showed today… I’m very proud of the team, the staff, so I’m very happy today.”
At a crucial point in the match, De Gea made an incredible one-handed reaction save to deny a powerful strike from Manu Triqueros inside the United box. It kept the Reds still in the hunt, which they made full use of towards the end. The goalkeeper was happy because his saves came on a winning note for the club. “Yeah, I always try to be focused in the 90 minutes,” De Gea explained.
“I made the save, a couple of saves in the first half, but sometimes I’ve made some saves [and] the team has lost. Today, it was good because I made them and we win, so I’m really, really happy. But, like I say, today is about the team. The team played as a team, very good, so we deserve the points.”
The recent weeks have been difficult for the club in terms of the results and performances on the pitch. The bad run of form meant that former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left the club at the weekend, with Michael Carrick being placed temporarily in charge to look after the team in the upcoming games. De Gea says this period has been tough but that he is proud of how the team performed in Spain. He wants his team to maintain this form when they play Chelsea on Sunday.
“It’s been very difficult, to be honest,” De Gea said about the recent time at the club. “Last week, especially the last two or three days, have been tough. But that probably makes the team stronger. I think we will take confidence from today and then it’s not just today. We need to show again on Sunday when we play a massive game again [v Chelsea], so let’s see if we can keep winning games.”
De Gea also praised the travelling supporters in his post-match interview. “Yeah, for sure,” he said about the fans enjoying themselves.
“Champions League nights for the fans are very special. The away fans are always unbelievable. I’m very happy for them also, they deserve a result today and, for sure, they enjoyed it.”
