Alex Stepney believes David de Gea has won the battle to be Uniteds No 1 keeper after sterling displays
In-form David de Gea has impressed Reds legend Alex Stepney with his solid performances David de Gea returns to the scene of one of his debut season personal triumphs on Saturday with Uniteds Premier League keeper gloves in his grip.
Carrow Road last February saw the Spaniard win the Man of the Match vote by a landslide, even though Ryan Giggs scored an emotional winner on his 900th appearance for the Reds.
But it was De Geas string of saves that built the platform for Giggs late drama in the 2-1 victory against Norwich City.
That Norfolk triumph came on the heels of De Geas confidence-turning late free kick save from Juan Mata at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea ten months ago that saved a point for the Reds.
De Gea kept the number one spot to the end of the campaign and started 2012-13 as the man in possession. But the 22-year-old fumbled his opportunity with his critical part in Nemanja Vidics own goal against Fulham in the second match of the term.
It gave previous deputy Anders Lindegaard (right) a lifeline and forced Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson to employ a rotation policy between the Dane and the Spaniard again.
But since Lindegaard played in the Old Trafford defeat against Spurs he has only had a Capital One outing against Chelsea.
De Gea has become the regular choice again, though he is likely to be rested for the dead rubber Champions League match in Istanbul against Galatasaray next week.
De Geas shot-stopping performance against Aston Villa last Saturday helped United turn around the match and win 3-2.
Former United 1968 European Cup winner Alex Stepney believes the goalkeepers jersey is now De Geas to lose.
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Unless David makes a huge mistake like he did against Fulham, I think he will keep his place and be the permanent keeper in the Premier League for United, Alex told M.E.N. Sport.Thats the way it looks like it is panning out. The manager has said hes a shot-stopper and a line keeper and that seems to be accepted now.
When he comes for the ball he punches it virtually every time and United appear to have come to terms with that.
Thats his style and as long as he does it well we shouldnt complain. Personally, I would still prefer to see a goalkeeper command his six-yard area, win the ball in the air and hold onto it.
A keeper has to be in charge of that area and dominate it with a safe pair of hands. Thats how Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar did it.
But I understand that you may never get a keeper like that for another 10 or 15 years. They dont come along every day of the week.
I remember Davids display at Norwich earlier this year and I thought it was strong and powerful. He was coming for balls, collecting them and looked like he was getting to grips with the British style and the demands of the Premier League.
I hoped it would be a turning point in his game in terms of how he kept goal but hes still a puncher.
However, the defence now knows that when David de Gea comes for the ball he is going to get a fist on it and they know hell deal with it in his own way. So long as he does there isnt a problem.
I favour catching t! he ball but if you can punch cleanly and get distance on a clearance then you are still protecting your goal.
As long as your team mates know what you are going to do and you are consistent about it that is a good understanding to have.
United are obviously still conceding too many goals but I dont think that is down to De Gea or any lack of understanding now. I dont think you could blame him, for instance, for the two goals at Aston Villa.
Sir Alex did say he was going to continue rotating the two of them but made the point if one did demand he was chosen regularly by his performances, then so be it. David could be close to that now.
Anders Lindegaard is still going to need his matches because you cannot afford to let one of them become rusty but it does seem in the Premier League that De Gea has won the battle.
Carrow Road last February saw the Spaniard win the Man of the Match vote by a landslide, even though Ryan Giggs scored an emotional winner on his 900th appearance for the Reds.
But it was De Geas string of saves that built the platform for Giggs late drama in the 2-1 victory against Norwich City.
That Norfolk triumph came on the heels of De Geas confidence-turning late free kick save from Juan Mata at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea ten months ago that saved a point for the Reds.
De Gea kept the number one spot to the end of the campaign and started 2012-13 as the man in possession. But the 22-year-old fumbled his opportunity with his critical part in Nemanja Vidics own goal against Fulham in the second match of the term.
It gave previous deputy Anders Lindegaard (right) a lifeline and forced Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson to employ a rotation policy between the Dane and the Spaniard again.
But since Lindegaard played in the Old Trafford defeat against Spurs he has only had a Capital One outing against Chelsea.
De Gea has become the regular choice again, though he is likely to be rested for the dead rubber Champions League match in Istanbul against Galatasaray next week.
De Geas shot-stopping performance against Aston Villa last Saturday helped United turn around the match and win 3-2.
Former United 1968 European Cup winner Alex Stepney believes the goalkeepers jersey is now De Geas to lose.
Manchester United on alert as Ajax ace Christian Eriksen ponders options
Rio Ferdinand relaxed over Manchester United contract
Unless David makes a huge mistake like he did against Fulham, I think he will keep his place and be the permanent keeper in the Premier League for United, Alex told M.E.N. Sport.Thats the way it looks like it is panning out. The manager has said hes a shot-stopper and a line keeper and that seems to be accepted now.
When he comes for the ball he punches it virtually every time and United appear to have come to terms with that.
Thats his style and as long as he does it well we shouldnt complain. Personally, I would still prefer to see a goalkeeper command his six-yard area, win the ball in the air and hold onto it.
A keeper has to be in charge of that area and dominate it with a safe pair of hands. Thats how Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar did it.
But I understand that you may never get a keeper like that for another 10 or 15 years. They dont come along every day of the week.
I remember Davids display at Norwich earlier this year and I thought it was strong and powerful. He was coming for balls, collecting them and looked like he was getting to grips with the British style and the demands of the Premier League.
I hoped it would be a turning point in his game in terms of how he kept goal but hes still a puncher.
However, the defence now knows that when David de Gea comes for the ball he is going to get a fist on it and they know hell deal with it in his own way. So long as he does there isnt a problem.
I favour catching t! he ball but if you can punch cleanly and get distance on a clearance then you are still protecting your goal.
As long as your team mates know what you are going to do and you are consistent about it that is a good understanding to have.
United are obviously still conceding too many goals but I dont think that is down to De Gea or any lack of understanding now. I dont think you could blame him, for instance, for the two goals at Aston Villa.
Sir Alex did say he was going to continue rotating the two of them but made the point if one did demand he was chosen regularly by his performances, then so be it. David could be close to that now.
Anders Lindegaard is still going to need his matches because you cannot afford to let one of them become rusty but it does seem in the Premier League that De Gea has won the battle.
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