DAVID DE GEA made an incredible wonder-save against Villarreal before Manchester United sealed a big win in Spain.
The Red Devils were looking to make a statement after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked on Sunday.
And Michael Carrick saw his first game as caretaker boss end with a 2-0 victory thanks to late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho.
But things could have turned out differently had De Gea not pulled off a heroic stop earlier in the second half.
Europa League champions Villarreal, who beat United in last season’s final, created plenty of opportunities in the fiercely-contested group stage game.
But their best chance occurred in the 58th minute when a loose ball fell kindly to midfielder Manu Trigueros… inside United’s penalty area.
Lining up the ball for a volley as it came towards him, the playmaker unleashed a rocket at De Gea’s goal mouth.
Fans held their breath as they waited for the ball to strike the back of the net.
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But De Gea, making his 68th continental appearance for United, had other ideas.
Somehow, the gloveman managed to react quickly enough to get down low, block Trigueros’ pile-driver AND turn the ball over the crossbar to safety.
United fans breathed a collective sigh of relief as the Villarreal faithful tried to comprehend what had happened.
And the save was so good that a number of Yellow Submarine stars, including Trigueros, congratulated Spaniard De Gea on his outrageous effort afterwards.
Indeed, the stop proved pivotal as United took the lead 20 minutes later through talisman Ronaldo.
The veteran lobbed goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli with a succulent chip after some sloppy passing from Villarreal’s defence, and celebrated with his traditional ’Siu’ jump.
Sancho then wrapped up the win with his first-ever United goal in the 90th minute, giving the club something to smile about at last while banishing the painful memories of Solskjaer’s exit.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
