Manchester United finds themselves in a conundrum with their star goalkeeper, David de Gea. On one hand, De Gea has proven himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the Premier League, winning the prestigious Golden Glove award multiple times. On the other hand, his style of play doesn’t quite align with the modern demands and tactical approach that Manchester United aspires to achieve. This leaves the club facing a difficult decision regarding De Gea’s future and their overall playing style.
Since his arrival at Old Trafford in 2011, De Gea has been a consistent presence between the sticks for Manchester United. With 538 appearances and 188 clean sheets to his name, he has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the club’s history. His reflexes, shot-stopping ability, and acrobatic saves have often been the difference between victory and defeat for the Red Devils.
However, football is a dynamic sport, and playing styles evolve over time. The modern game demands goalkeepers who can do more than just make saves. They are expected to contribute to the team’s overall tactics, from playing out from the back to initiating attacks with accurate long passes. This is where De Gea’s limitations become apparent.
One of the key aspects that Manchester United values in a goalkeeper is the ability to act as a sweeper keeper. In the current era, where high defensive lines and aggressive pressing are prevalent, goalkeepers are required to sweep up behind the defense, clearing through balls and nullifying opposition attacks. Unfortunately, De Gea’s performance in this area falls short of expectations. His ranking of 14th in the Premier League for sweeper clearances this season indicates a lack of proactive involvement outside the penalty area.
Additionally, De Gea’s struggles with claiming crosses and punching the ball away have been evident. The statistics reveal a low success rate in stopping crosses, leaving the team vulnerable during set-pieces and open play. This weakness is magnified in a league where aerial threats and physicality play a significant role. To compete at the highest level, Manchester United needs a goalkeeper who can confidently command their penalty area and provide assurance to the defenders. De Gea has now made four errors leading to a goal in all competitions this season, the joint most of any Premier League player, along with Hugo Lloris.
Furthermore, De Gea’s passing accuracy and distribution have become points of concern. In today’s game, goalkeepers are expected to initiate attacks with precise long passes and quick throws. However, De Gea’s long pass success rate and throwing accuracy have been average at best, limiting the team’s ability to launch swift counterattacks and maintain possession. This hampers Manchester United’s tactical fluidity and the implementation of their desired playing style.
As Manchester United looks ahead to the future, the arrival of Erik ten Hag as manager brings a renewed focus on a possession-based, attacking style of play. Ten Hag’s philosophy emphasizes building from the back and playing out from deep. Unfortunately, De Gea’s skill set doesn’t align with this approach. His limitations in passing and distribution hinder the team’s ability to execute Ten Hag’s desired tactics effectively.
Ultimately, Manchester United faces a challenging decision regarding De Gea’s future. While his shot-stopping abilities and accolades cannot be overlooked, the club must consider whether his style of play aligns with their long-term vision. As they aim to compete for major titles and establish a dominant identity, having a goalkeeper who can contribute to the team’s tactical approach becomes crucial.
It is worth noting that the decision regarding De Gea’s future goes beyond his individual abilities. Manchester United must balance the need for immediate success with the long-term goals of the club. This may involve exploring alternative options in the transfer market or investing in young goalkeepers who can develop within the club’s desired playing style.
David de Gea costly mistakes
Brentford 4-0 Man Utd (Premier League, 2022-23)
It was a devastating day for Manchester United as they suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford in the Premier League. The match marked a dreadful start for manager Erik ten Hag, who had been hailed as a beacon of hope for the club’s future. The disappointment was further compounded by yet another blunder from goalkeeper David de Gea, a recurring theme that has haunted United in the past.
Within the first 10 minutes, De Gea’s vulnerability was exposed once again. A seemingly harmless shot from Josh Dasilva found its way past the Spanish goalkeeper, leaving fans in disbelief. It was a moment that epitomized De Gea’s struggles, as he has often been caught off guard by similar attempts in the past.
The misery continued to unfold as Brentford extended their lead to 2-0 through Mathias Jensen, with De Gea shouldering the blame for a misguided pass that put Christian Eriksen in a difficult position. The frustration only grew as Ben Mee capitalized on De Gea’s uncertain positioning to score Brentford’s third goal from a corner.
To add insult to injury, Bryan Mbeumo compounded United’s misery by netting the fourth goal of the match. It was a clinical finish, made easier by De Gea’s hesitant attempts to close him down. The one-on-one situation epitomized the lack of conviction and confidence that had plagued the goalkeeper throughout the game.
For United supporters, it was a heartbreaking result that left them questioning the team’s progress under Ten Hag. Hopes were high, but the reality was a painful reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. The emotional toll of such a resounding defeat was palpable, as fans grappled with the frustration of witnessing their beloved club falter.
In the face of this setback, Manchester United must regroup and find the strength to bounce back. It’s a time for soul-searching and reflection, both for the players and the coaching staff. Only by addressing these issues head-on can the team hope to rise from the ashes and reclaim their former glory.
Sevilla 3-0 Man Utd (Europa League, 2022-23)
It was a nightmarish evening for Manchester United as they suffered a devastating 3-0 defeat against Sevilla in the Europa League. The second leg of the quarter-final tie was filled with disappointment and sorrow for the Red Devils and their loyal supporters.
Having squandered a two-goal lead in the first leg, United arrived at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium hoping for redemption. However, injuries forced manager Erik ten Hag to make changes to his lineup, and it quickly became apparent that the adjustments would prove costly.
Within the opening minutes, the defensive pairing of Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof struggled to cope with the relentless pressure from Sevilla. Maguire’s loss of possession just outside his own box led to Sevilla taking the lead, with Youssef En-Nesyri capitalizing on the situation. Unfortunately, goalkeeper David de Gea played a part in the downfall, adding to the mounting despair.
As the second half commenced, United’s hopes of a comeback were dashed when Loic Bade’s looping header found the back of the net. De Gea, once again, was unable to prevent the goal, leaving fans disheartened and questioning the goalkeeper’s performance.
United’s attacking prowess seemed nonexistent in the latter half of the match, and any glimmers of hope were completely extinguished when En-Nesyri struck again in the 81st minute. It was a moment that encapsulated the team’s despair, as De Gea’s ill-fated attempt to control a high ball outside his area only led to further catastrophe. En-Nesyri seized the opportunity, ruthlessly finding the back of the net from a considerable distance.
The final whistle brought not only the end of the match but also a deep sense of sadness and disappointment for Manchester United. The defeat was a bitter pill to swallow, with De Gea once again bearing the brunt of the blame for his mistakes. The collective mood was somber, as fans lamented the team’s missed chances and the goalkeeper’s repeated errors.
David de Gea statistics 2022/2023
David de Gea’s statistics provide compelling evidence that he doesn’t quite suit Erik ten Hag’s style of play at Manchester United. Let’s delve into these numbers and explore why they suggest a mismatch between De Gea’s abilities and Ten Hag’s desired approach.
Starting with the goalkeeping statistics, De Gea has conceded an average of 1.1 goals per game, resulting in a total of 41 goals conceded throughout the season. While this figure alone doesn’t necessarily indicate poor performance, it does highlight a significant number of goals conceded, particularly from inside the box (34 goals) compared to outside the box (7 goals).
In terms of saves, De Gea has made a total of 95 saves, averaging 2.6 saves per game with a 70% save percentage. While the number of saves made is commendable, it’s crucial to consider the context of these saves. With a relatively high number of goals conceded, the saves made by De Gea may be seen as reactionary rather than proactive, potentially indicating weaknesses in positioning or decision-making.
Furthermore, De Gea’s distribution statistics are worth examining. With an average of 19.4 accurate touches per game, his overall passing accuracy stands at 68%. However, when analyzing his passing accuracy in different areas of the pitch, it becomes apparent that his effectiveness drops significantly in the opposition half (26% accuracy) compared to his own half (88% accuracy). This discrepancy suggests limitations in terms of initiating attacks from the back and playing the ball into more advanced areas of the pitch.
Another aspect of De Gea’s game that might not align with Ten Hag’s style is his success rate in runs out. With an average of only 0.3 successful runs out per game and a success rate of 92%, it suggests a relatively passive approach when it comes to leaving the goal line to collect loose balls or intercept opposing players. This lack of assertiveness in commanding the penalty area might restrict Manchester United’s ability to play with a higher defensive line and press effectively.
Finally, looking at clean sheets, De Gea has managed to keep 17 clean sheets throughout the season. While this is a respectable number, it’s essential to consider whether these clean sheets were a result of his individual brilliance or the overall defensive structure of the team. Ten Hag’s style of play requires the goalkeeper to contribute to the team’s possession-based approach, which places additional emphasis on building from the back and minimizing defensive errors.
Considering these statistics collectively, it becomes evident that David de Gea’s playing style and attributes may not align seamlessly with Erik ten Hag’s desired approach at Manchester United. His high number of goals conceded, limitations in distribution accuracy, and relatively passive approach in certain aspects of the game suggest a potential mismatch. As Ten Hag aims to implement a possession-oriented, attacking style, the club may need to explore alternative options in the goalkeeper position that can better contribute to the team’s tactical evolution.
Manchester United finds themselves in a conundrum with David de Gea. While he has been a standout performer and a deserving recipient of the Golden Glove award, his style of play doesn’t fully align with the club’s modern aspirations. As they strive for success and a distinct playing identity under Erik ten Hag, important decisions regarding the goalkeeper position must be made. Manchester United’s future success may well depend on finding a goalkeeper who can combine shot-stopping prowess with the ability to contribute to the team’s tactical evolution.
See you in the next one.