DAVID DE GEA has defended his position at Manchester United, insisting “I am still the number one”.
The Spanish goalkeeper has come under pressure this season after a number of calamitous errors not least in the FA Cup semi-final.
David De Gea plans to stick around as Manchester United’s No1 next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He got the nod over Sergio Romero for the Europa League semi-final on Sunday and conceded twice as United went down 2-1 to Sevilla.
But De Gea said: “I trust in myself.
“I have shown my qualities all the years. So I will just stay available for the manager.
“I’m always ready to play and try to help the team, as I have always done.”
There have been calls for Dean Henderson to be made the number one after he returned from two successful seasons on loan at Sheffield United.
Henderson also wants to be assured by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or will insist on leaving either on loan or in a permanent deal.
De Gea has just completed his ninth season with the club but has just four trophies to his name during that time – a Premier League title, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Europa League.
Another campaign has now passed with United empty-handed following their defeat to Sevilla.
It is the first time they have gone three seasons without a trophy in 30 years.
And De Gea believes a lack of experience in Solskjaer’s young team cost them at the semi-final stage of a competition for the third time this season.
De Gea said: “We deserve to be in the final, if we are honest.
“But maybe we need a bit of experience, more experience on the team, but we have to score the chances. That was the point for us.”
Dean Henderson is knocking on the United custodian’s doorCredit: Getty Images – Getty
De Gea still believes there are plenty of positives from the season not least in hunting down both Chelsea and Leicester to claim third place in the league
He said: “I think we improved this season. We were 14 points behind the third position in the Premier League and we finished third at the end.
“I think we are playing very good football, attacking football.
“Let’s keep improving, let’s keep fighting for this club and let’s try to win trophies next season.”
Ally McCoist says Manchester United have a ‘big decision to make’ regarding David De Gea with Dean Henderson ‘playing particularly well at Sheffield United’
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
