David De Gea is currently leading the race for the Premier League’s Golden Glove. He’s kept 15 clean sheets this season and made some terrific stops, while he has also won the Matt Busby Player of the Year award four times in his 12 years at Old Trafford. But he isn’t good enough to lead them into the future under Erik ten Hag.
Against West Ham, he cost them dear. This was a poor game at the London Stadium, defined by an absolute howler from the Spanish goalkeeper. Said Benrahma picked up the ball and raced towards goal before taking a shot from the edge of the area that dribbled towards the goal.
De Gea, somehow floundered at it, as he palmed it into his own goal to the dismay of his own teammates. He’s now made four errors leading to goals this season, the joint most alongside Hugo Lloris and has become a liability for Manchester United and his manager.
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He can’t play out from the back and as we saw time and time again at the London Stadium, he doesn’t look certain when he is under aerial pressure. From set pieces and throw-ins, the Hammers targeted him and Man Utd were fortunate as two goals were ruled out, the first coming as De Gea was challenged by Michail Antonio.
The Jamaican was a handful all night for Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw, and De Gea has been exposed now that the first choice defenders are no longer available. Talking of Lindelof, he was fortunate not to give away a penalty after handling in his own box in the first half. But it isn’t all De Gea’s fault.
Ten Hag must take responsibility for the starting XI he selected and the manner in which they performed. He selected Wout Weghorst, who played in the number ten position. That not only pushed Bruno Fernandes out wide, but put Marcus Rashford in the number nine role, when he has been far more dangerous from the left.
Antony started on the right and was anonymous while Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho were unable to influence the game off the bench. There was no cut and thrust from this United team and there were no major chances created, or missed. West Ham were just marginally better than them all over the pitch.
Declan Rice was superb. A level above anything Manchester United had in midfield and this was such a committed performance from Moyes’ side. It’s a win that probably secures West Ham survival in the Premier League and with a European semi-final to come this week, it could still turn into a memorable season.
For United, things could be starting to unravel. They have a game in hand on Liverpool but are now just a point ahead of them, when a top four finish looked an absolute certainty just a month ago. Now they’ve lost back to back away games without scoring a goal, and although their run-in looks kind, they can’t take anything for granted now.
Ten Hag has issues to deal with. The main one being what he does with David De Gea.
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