Saying that David De Gea did not have the best of starts to his Manchester United career is probably the understatement of the century.
On his debut in the Community Shield against rivals Manchester City De Gea was at fault for both City goals. Having reportedly paying £18.9m in the summer of 2011 fans will have expected much more.
De Gea’s skinny frame turned in to an area that the opposition quickly saw as a chance to exploit through long balls. De Gea had made several errors dropping the ball under aerial challenges against big centre-backs and forwards.
The Turning Point
An injury to Anders Lindegaard, who had replaced the Spaniard after a flurry of errors, meant De Gea was back in between the sticks for a match against Chelsea. Manchester United drew 3-3 but it was the Spanish internationals save from now team-mate Juan Mata that grabbed the headline.
He now talks of that save as the moment his Manchester United career took a positive turn.
You not remember De Gea at the start ? Kept making mistake after mistake, look at him now.. no player would progress if they are dropped after every mistake
— FERGIE TIME (@FERGIETIME92) 18 November 2017
De Gea was one of the shining stars in a dark period for Manchester United following the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.
He won Players and Fans Player of the season on multiple occasions. United struggling actually helped him showcase his brilliance.
Fast forward to this season and Manchester United have the best defence in the Premier League having only conceded one goal at home. It is no doubt that this is down to Manchester United number one’s brilliance between the sticks.