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MANCHESTER UNITED fans were left in complete disbelief after David de Gea finally saved a penalty.The Spanish stopper had supporters fearing “the end is near” after he denied Aleksandar Mitrovic from the spot at Old Trafford against Fulham.
David de Gea ended a nine-year wait to save a penalty at Old TraffordCredit: PA
The Man Utd stopper denied Fulham’s Aleksandar MitrovicCredit: Reuters
United were already trailing Fulham after Kenny Tete’s near-post header from Willian’s corner.
However, just moments later the 32-year-old prevented the Red Devils from falling two behind after Casemiro was punished for a foul in the box.
Mitrovic stepped up but De Gea guessed the correct way and produced a brilliant stop as the Stretford End roared its approval.
It proved to be a vital contribution from De Gea, who afterwards picked up the Golden Glove an award for keeping the most clean sheets this season (16), as United went on to win 2-1.
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And that, incredibly, was his first penalty save at Old Trafford since he denied Leighton Baines in October 2014.
De Gea has faced heavy criticism for his penalty saving record over recent times – with supporters stunned last month that they beat Brighton in the FA Cup semi-final via a shootout despite him failing to stop a single one.
And he was heavily mocked after the 2021 Europa League final defeat to Villarreal where he conceded 11 penalties before missing United’s crucial one himself.
However, he did save two in the Premier League last season, firstly from West Ham’s Mark Noble in September 2021 before denying Ismaila Sarr at Watford two months later.
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But despite that, the United faithful still appeared to be in shock to witness him produce a save – especially at the Theatre of Dreams.
One tweeted: “Did I just see De Gea save a penalty????”
Another wrote: “De Gea Penalty save? We’re winning the league next season.”
Meanwhile, De Gea has so far failed to sign a new deal at United, which would see his present £375,000-a-week basic salary drop by nearly 50 per cent.
He is out of contract next summer and wants to stay at Old Trafford but so far talks over fresh terms have stalled.
United boss Erik ten Hag has given his public backing to the Spaniard, although it is understood concerns remain from the player’s camp that he may not be No.1 next season.
And some even think that this penalty save was the perfect way for him to sign off at the club before a summer exit.
One fan wrote: “DE GEA OMFG WHAT A FAREWELL PENALTY SAVE.”
As another added: “Farewell penalty save for De Gea.”
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Although others just thought that the world was about the end as one wrote: “DAVID DE GEA SAVED A PENALTY. SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR LOVED ONES.
“SOUND THE KLAXON. THE SIMULATION IS BROKEN.”

De Gea picked up his Golden Glove award after the matchCredit: Getty More

WAYNE ROONEY raised eyebrows after calling for Manchester United to play a throwback 4-4-2 formation in the FA Cup final. United play bitter rivals City next Saturday at Wembley, looking for their second trophy of the season.

And DC United boss Rooney revealed he would play with a four-man midfield to “cheat a bit”.
He wrote in his column for The Times: “My strategy would be to go the other way and ask City to do something different.
“I’d try something similar to a tactic José Mourinho sometimes deployed in his first spell at Chelsea, where he would get the likes of Joe Cole, Arjen Robben and Damien Duff to take up “half” positions where they didn’t come all the way back and defend when Chelsea were out of possession but instead cheat a bit and wait higher up the pitch in areas from which they could counterattack as soon as Chelsea won the ball back.   
“We always found it difficult to play against. When you were attacking, you were thinking, ‘Where’s Robben? Where’s Cole? Who’s staying back? What’s the communication like to make sure we’re dealing with those players?’
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“United could do similar using Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial: defend with eight players and have those two waiting in counterattack positions.
“That would ask City different questions: should John Stones still come into the midfield or would it leave that side of the pitch open for Rashford to run into? Should Kyle Walker go high or would this open up space?”
“I would set United up 4-4-2, with Martial and Rashford up top and a very solid midfield behind them: Casemiro in the middle with Christian Eriksen, or even Scott McTominay, and Bruno Fernandes and Fred either side.
” I’d want to keep the distances between my eight defending players small.
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“Everyone in football knows that if you get a good block of eight players, do it well and keep your discipline, it’s very difficult to break you down. United have had a few successes against City in recent years playing on the counterattack — often with Rashford and Martial to the fore.
“Playing my way carries risks but I feel you have to risk it against City and ask questions that force them to do something different.
“Gamble and they may punish you but if you just sit back you’re going to get punished by them anyway — so why not take the initiative and try something?”
Rooney’s old-school approach had United fans thanking that he is not in charge at Old Trafford.
One said: “We are lucky that he is not our coach.”
Another added: “442 this ain’t the 90s man.”
Wayne Rooney is manager of DC UnitedCredit: Reuters More