DAVID DE GEA has suggested that a ‘lack of quality’ could be holding Manchester United back following an inconsistent start to the season.
The Red Devils are desperate to welcome back Scott McTominay for the trip to Aston Villa with talisman Paul Pogba still recovering from a troublesome ankle injury.
David De Gea has suggested Manchester United’s form could be down to a lack of qualityCredit: AP:Associated Press
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side sit ninth in the Premier League table following their 3-3 draw against Sheffield United.
Utd were at one stage two goals down at Bramall Lane, before they conceded a late equaliser to prevent them from sealing a memorable comeback and their first back-to-back league wins of the season.
Speaking to Sky Sports, De Gea admitted the club need to win those type of games and pointed to a lack of quality in certain areas.
The Spaniard said: “The team is what it is, and results are what they have been recently.
“It’s true that the first half was horrible, probably one of the worst this year.
I don’t think it’s through any lack of effort. You could point maybe to a lack of quality in certain areas, but certainly not a lack of fight
David De Gea
“The reaction of the team in the second half was important, but it’s not enough. We should win these type of games to be on top, we need to win four or five games in a row to be at the top, but at the moment the team is not playing so well.
“We’re giving it everything, we’re trying to get those big wins that can put us high up in the table, but the truth is at the moment we’re not consistent enough, there’s much to train and much to improve.
“I don’t think it’s through any lack of effort, the boys are leaving everything out on the field in training and games. You could point maybe to a lack of quality in certain areas, but certainly not a lack of fight.”
De Gea is expected to start between the sticks against Villa after he was rested for the dead rubber Europa League loss in Kazakhstan.
Despite bemoaning his side’s lack of quality, the former Athletico Madrid stopper revealed he signed a new £73million contract in September because he was convinced by the club’s title ambition.
He added: “The truth is I feel like at home here.
“There are times when I am in Spain and I’m really looking forward to coming back here, at home in Manchester.
“We’ve been here for a lot of years and I feel like people appreciate me here, I’ve made a lot of friends and I’m thrilled to be part of this club.
“It’s been a long time that I’ve been playing here and it’s not an easy thing to keep playing at the highest level and to maintain that level.
“I personally hope that we can get more accolades in years to come by working hard and playing to that same high level.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer say De Gea is possibly United’s best-ever keeper
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
