Solskjaer flatly refuses to drop under-par Man Utd man
Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted he will never drop goalkeeper David De Gea.
The Spain stopper, who has so far refused to pen a new deal at Old Trafford, has been criticised in recent weeks and apologised after his blunder against Barcelona, and he was again in the spotlight on Wednesday night after conceding twice against Manchester City.
The first from Bernardo Silva crept in at the near post, while De Gea could only deflect Leroy Sane’s angled shot into the net with his foot as City sealed a 2-0 win at Old Trafford.
Asked if he would consider dropping De Gea and giving Sergio Romero a run in goal, he replied: “No. Not at all. Because I trust David and he’s for me been the best player United have had last six or seven years, absolutely outstanding and going through touch patches is part of a footballer’s career and David will be fine. No worries.”
With his deal at United set to expire in the summer of 2020 and with overtures from Real Madrid apparently growing louder, Solskjaer was asked if De Gea’s contract uncertainty was affecting the 28-year-old.
“That’s something you have to deal with as a footballer, it’s a situation, David’s coming in every single day doing what he should be doing,” said Solskjaer.
United, who have now lost seven of their last nine matches in all competitions, face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday as they look to get themselves back into top-four contention.
Speaking about United’s apparent loss of form, the Norwegian said: “That’s football for you that’s human beings for you that’s margins, and of course we’ve played you can say some many said easy teams in the beginning and more different teams now but it’s the whole scenario, whole season, it’s been an emotional season for players and club and that’s what you’ve got to deal with as a footballer player, coach and manager, deal with human beings.
“They’ve all seen the reality the last few weeks where we’re at, if you look at the team total points last five seasons, I don’t know if you can give me that average, and the total points is 70 for average, we’re now on 64, that’s where we’re at, the reality where we’ve been the last five seasons and that’s not good enough, that’s not down to the last six seven or eight games, that’s where we are.
“We have a great challenge ahead of us.”
Ander Herrera could return to action against Maurizio Sarri’s men.
“I would think so (will play for United again) yeah. Ander’s been training, enthusiastic and he will probably be involved on Sunday, can’t guarantee but he’s trained the last two days,” added Solskjaer.