Erik ten Hag has defended David de Gea following his horror show for Manchester United in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final defeat to Sevilla.
The Spain international goalkeeper endured a continental-outing-to-forget back on home soil.
Critics believe his individual errors contributed to a humbling 3-0 defeat for the Red Devils that has dumped them out of Europe, with 5-2 on aggregate.
De Gea’s hospital pass to Harry Maguire inside the opening eight minutes allowed Youssef En-Nesyri to capitalise on some shocking defending and break the deadlock.
However, the United custodian then gifted the ball to the same player late on, as he was left stranded outside of his penalty area with an unguarded net behind him.
Ten Hag can appreciate why questions are being asked of De Gea’s display, but he also has something remarkable to say about the man that has kept more clean sheets for United than any keeper in the club’s history and one that currently leads the Premier League Golden Glove race in 2022-23.
Ten Hag Appreciates
“He’s the one with the most clean sheets in the Premier League, so that shows he’s a very capable goalkeeper.”
Ten Hag was eager to avoid pointing fingers at individuals after seeing another bid for silverware come to a close against Sevilla, with the Dutch coach saying of collective failings: “We have to learn. We have to start games better, more desire, passion, composure on the ball.
“And when we have a setback we have to deal with it and get back on the ball. We have to be better.
“It is not about the playing skills.
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“It is about character. They had more willingness to win and that can’t be. I think it is unacceptable.
“We have to pick the players up. But we also have to face that we let ourselves down, we have let the fans down.”
“If you want to win trophies, if you want to be successful, you need character.”
