Goals from Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini helped Manchester United overcome West Ham United in the FA Cup, but manager Louis Van Gaal hailed goalkeeper David de Gea as the difference maker for the Red Devils.
Manchester United beat West Ham on Wednesday to keep their FA Cup hopes alive, thanks in part to another outstanding display from goalkeeper David de Gea. The FA Cup represents the Red Devils’ only hope of silverware this season, and winning it could go a long way to saving Louis van Gaal’s job.
After the match, Van Gaal lauded De Gea as his side’s saviour, with the Spaniard playing an instrumental role in keeping the Hammers at bay in the final stages of the pulsating encounter.
“We kept him and that is because he is one of the best you can imagine. I am very happy with him,” said Van Gaal, according to the official club website.
“When you see the match, we controlled the game for 85 minutes and then suddenly they scored the goal through the kick of Payet, the head of Carroll and of Tomkins – it was also quality. At that time it changed the match but David De Gea saved us. It was a fantastic night.”
The best there is?
David de Gea made eight crucial saves for Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on Wednesday. His highlights included an incredible double save late in the match, where he denied a long range shot from Cheikhou Kouyate as well as the subsequent rebound from Andy Carroll in quick succession. Even before conceding a goal to a James Tomkins header from point blank range, De Gea denied Michail Antonio with an excellent stooping save.
Van Gaal is right to lavish praise on the Spaniard as he has been arguably the best player for the club this season. De Gea has racked up 12 clean sheets, which is a significant feat considering how haphazard and error prone the United defence has been this season. Manchester United fans will feel blessed that their saviour did not walk away to Spain in the summer and will hope he continues to grace them with his presence in goal in the coming seasons.
