On what was his 510th appearance for Manchester United, David de Gea helped United keep a clean sheet as he pulled off a number of great saves.
A victory and clean sheet for @D_DeGea, as he now sits level at no.10 for all-time United appearances đź‘Ź#MUFC || #MUNBOU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 4, 2023
As Bournemouth were pushing for a goal in the second half, de Gea produced two top right handed saves in the 59th minute and then in the 92nd minute as he helped United keep a clean sheet in a 3-0 win.
DAVID DE GEA! đź‘Ź #MUFC || #MUNBOU
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 3, 2023
Since the opening two defeats of the season against Brighton and Brentford, where de Gea underperformed, he has since turned the corner as his shot-stopping has got back to the levels that saw him the club’s Player of the Year awards on four occasions and he is making a good attempt to sweep up danger that is in front of him.
The clean sheet against Bournemouth was de Gea’s eight of the clean sheet, which is only two less than Newcastle’s Nick Pope and the Spaniard has played his part in helping United keep those clean sheets this season as he has pulled off saves that have got the Reds out of trouble, just like he did last night.
It was that kind of night, @D_DeGea! 🤗#MUFC || #MUNBOU pic.twitter.com/98lf5BACb8
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 3, 2023
De Gea spoke to the club’s official media team after the game and he was asked about United’s performance.
“I think, at the end, we conceded too many chances, but we played the first half well,” he added. “We scored a good goal from a free-kick. Then the first 20 minutes of the second half, we controlled the game. We scored the second goal but we lost a bit of tempo in the game. I think the players feel a little bit tired, I think they created some chances. Of course, they have a good team of player in the front and created some chances. But I think we controlled the game quite well and it’s a big three points for us.
“The whole team deserves the clean sheet. For example, we changed the centre-backs, they play really well. So, it doesn’t matter who’s playing. I think the most important thing is feeling like we are a great team, everyone is in the same direction, everyone is playing and training at 100 percent. So, it is great to see a team like this and let’s keep up the momentum and keep playing like today and winning games” [via Man Utd].
After the game, his manager, Erik ten Hag acknowledged de Gea’s saves bur he said that United must be more “smarter”.
Ten Hag said: “Great saves from David but play a little bit more smart and as a team and, finally, we ended up with two departments. One attacking one and one defending one” [via Man Utd].
