Early Days For De Gea.

David De Gea has started in odd fashion for Premier League big boys Manchester United feeling various extremes from week to week be it high or low. However, what does this mean for Manchester United and David De Gea?


It means nothing, not one thing David De Gea is only 20 years old and has been brought to one of the best clubs in the world by in my opinion, the best manager in the world Sir Alex Ferguson and more often than not Sir Alex knows what he is doing. However, regardless De Gea's start to the season is something quite enjoyable to talk about.


Let's talk about the blunders first as I like to finish on a good note.


Blunder Number 1. 


Game - Community Shield match which saw Manchester United defeat Manchester City 3-2.

Poor Defensive Set Up From Manchester United

The Incident - As shown in the picture to the right it comes off a free kick. It is whipped in curling away from De Gea arriving at about the spot. As it's whipped in De Gea comes half heartedly as the Manchester United defence and the City offence rush back towards De Gea. Joleon Lescott gets a nod to it, and it goes over De Gea, who has half committed and is in no mans land.


The Problem - Two things went wrong one of which we can blame on De Gea the other is a mixture of De Gea and the defence. The problem which involves De Gea and the defence is the high line they set, as a goal keeper it is hard to commit to a ball when you have 20 odd men charging at as you come out. This can be put on De Gea as lack of preparation and the defence for the same.


Blunder Number 2


Game - Opening season fixture where Manchester United defeat West Brom 2-1




 The Incident - West Brom's Shane Long has the ball just inside the 18 on a tight angle on his left after a step over and half-beating his man, he hits a soft shot across De Gea, De Gea is slow to react and the ball slides under him as he dives late this makes it 1-1 but United go on to win due to a late winner by new recruit Ashley Young.


The Problem - Lack of focus in not expecting. Long to either beat his man or get a shot on target away, his positing was fine as when he dived, he dove over the ball which almost hit the post and went in. De Gea has top class reactions, so there is no doubt, he would save that nine times out of ten but not expecting the shot and not being ready cost him, I would say.


Blunder Number 3


Game - Manchester United third round demolition of Arsenal.

De Gea Left Wondering

The Incident - Theo Walcott beats Johnny evens and enters the 18 and side foots it at the near post to De Gea, who has his leg partially open the ball skips through his legs into the net.


 The Problem - Other than the obvious I maintain De Gea's problem is his lack of attention at times. I feel he got complacent with the lead United had at the time or may again not have expected the shot but there are no excuses for the goal.


Now let's talk about the good David De Gea has shown us. He in many ways played a crucial role in Manchester obliteration of Arsenal with crucial saves none more important than his penalty save off Gunners skipper Robin Van Persie.

De Gea Saving Robin Van Persie's Penalty.

With the score 1-0 in Manchester United's favour Arsenal are awarded a penalty after Johnny Evans fouls Theo Walcott in the box giving the Gunners a chance to come level. Van Persie chooses wrong, De Gea guesses right and the score remains 1-0. If this goal goes in it could very well have been a different game.


Another crucial moment in the game was De Geas double save denying Van Persie again and then the struggling Russian Andrey Arshavin to keep the gunners at bay and eventually Manchester United would run over Arsenal.


In my opinion, his start means nothing. He is young, and I have faith in the judgement of Sir Alex Ferguson, so I'm not writing him off just yet but only time will tell.