Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel has defended Reds shot-stopper David de Gea after the Spaniard came under criticism for his performance in midweek.
De Gea has come under intense scrutiny this week after his disappointing performance against Sevilla on Thursday night, with United exiting the Europa League after losing 5-2 on aggregate. The shot-stopper was arguably at fault for the Spanish side's first goal in the second leg, and his failure to deal with a high ball allowed the home side to make it 3-0 with ease.
Despite this, the 32-year-old has still managed to keep 14 clean sheets in the Premier League this season - more than any other goalkeeper in the division. He has made 48 appearances for Erik ten Hag's side and featured in every single league match so far this campaign.
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With Ten Hag keen for his goalkeeper to be comfortable with the ball at his feet - and have the ability to start attacks from the back - De Gea has been forced to change his style. Although many believe he has struggled with those adjustments, Schmeichel insisted the shot-stopper has still had a great campaign.
"It’s unsettling in the sense it’s not De Gea’s strength to play out from the back, he’s never been asked to do that, but I actually think he’s not used to this," he said on BBC. "Thursday wasn’t a great game for De Gea, that’s just being honest about it. But I hope that game doesn’t define his season in people’s views because he’s actually had a very good season.
"He leads the Premier League clean sheets with 14 and what I really like about him this season is it’s not his strength to pass it and play it out from the back but he’s worked really hard, it’s very clear. At the end of the day, clean sheets is a stat that’s not just on the goalkeeper, that’s on the defence and how you are working together."
Meanwhile, former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer suggested opposition sides will continue to put pressure on De Gea given he is uncomfortable with the ball at his feet.
He added: "What I would say is that teams know that David de Gea is not comfortable and doesn’t really want the ball at his feet, so you’ll see more and more teams keep putting him under pressure and pressing him."
De Gea has made 535 appearances for United since signing from Atletico Madrid in 2011. He is out of contract at the end of the current season.
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