David de Gea is mentally strong enough to deal with fierce criticism following a series of costly goalkeeping blunders for Manchester United, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old
Spaniard’s place as United’s number one is under severe pressure after he was
at fault for two goals in United’s 3-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea
on Sunday.
It came after other
glaring errors over the past 18 months from De Gea, previously considered among
the best goalkeepers in the world.
Solskjaer, speaking
at his pre-match press conference, was determined to keep the focus on
Wednesday’s game against West Ham rather than the struggles of his goalkeeper.
“This is not going
to become a David de Gea press conference,” he said. “We’re just going to stick
together. We’ve got two games, so we’re just going to focus on that one.
“David’s mentally
strong enough to know that his job is to perform in training the next day and
then be ready for the games.”
Dean Henderson is
snapping at De Gea’s heels after impressing on loan at Sheffield United while
Sergio Romero, the back-up goalkeeper surprisingly omitted from the FA Cup
semi-final starting line-up, is waiting in the wings.
Solskjaer has a
significant decision to make about the position for their penultimate Premier
League match of the season, given victory would give his fifth-placed side a
huge boost in the Champions League race.
Leicester’s 3-0
loss at Tottenham on Sunday means United are not only level with the
fourth-placed Foxes on 62 points but on goal difference as well, with the clubs
going toe-to-toe at the King Power Stadium in fascinating season finale on
Sunday.
Solskjaer was under
intense pressure himself earlier in the season but a long unbeaten run either
side of the coronavirus shutdown has turned their campaign around.
The Norwegian said
it was clear that United were on the right track.
“It is in our own
hands,” he said. “I don’t want to talk about how much it (Champions League)
will mean financially or to attract people. We just have to focus on the next
two games and make sure we are there.”
Eric Bailly was
taken to hospital after a nasty clash of heads with fellow United defender
Harry Maguire on Sunday and Solskjaer said he was unlikely to feature against
West Ham.
“Eric stayed down
in London after for all the checks,” he said.
“I didn’t see him
yesterday. He’s following the protocols that’s needed so, for me, I don’t think
that he’ll be ready for this game.”