Why David De Gea must not dwell on disappointment with Spain

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea endured a miserable World Cup with Spain, but he cannot afford to carry any harboured guilt back to Old Trafford.

De Gea failed to save a single one of Russia’s 4 penalties during his national team’s shootout defeat against the tournament hosts last weekend.

The abject nature of his display summed up his overall performance for Spain during the finals in Russia, which has been a far cry from the level he produces consistently at club level with United.

It all began with the 3-3 draw against Portugal in La Roja’s first game of the tournament in Group B. The 27-year-old looked a shadow of his usual self as Ronaldo ran riot, scoring a hattrick which included one of the worst goals De Gea has conceded in his entire career.

Ronaldo fired a weak shot from the edge of the box towards the Spanish goal which the former Atletico Madrid keeper let slip through his hands and into the net.

Getting your body behind the ball is basic practice for goalkeepers so that such mistakes are avoided, which made De Gea’s error all the more perplexing.

He didn’t fare much better in either of the teams remaining two group games, making just one save overall and conceding two soft goals during their 2-2 draw against Morroco.

By the time the Russia game came around De Gea’s body language reflected a man low on confidence and that transmitted to the Spanish back four.

Gerard Pique’s inexplicable handball gifted their opponents an equaliser after Spain had been in total control and they never fully recovered.

In the end, it was no surprise that the Russians progressed or that The Red Devil’s favourite son struggled to save his country in the shootout.

Whether or not the managerial changeover days before kick off in Russia affected the players is a matter of opinion, but clearly, this was not a Spanish team in perfect harmony.

Spanish news publication Marca was scathing in their assessment of De Gea post World Cup exit, pointing to damning statistical evidence of his ineptitude.

"“De Gea didn’t save any of Russia’s four penalties and left Russia having lost his position as the undisputed No. 1 of Spain,”“It would be wrong to blame David De Gea for Spain’s elimination from the World Cup,”“But what is true is that the goalkeeper has not produced the best four games of his life and statistics back this up.”“It means that he is the goalkeeper that has made fewest saves from at least three games since 1966.” – Marca"

Attention will now turn back to domestic football for the fallen Spain squad and De Gea will rejoin the ranks at Manchester United for Preseason. What is now crucial for the club is that their keeper does not return in sulk mode.

For the past few years, he has undoubtedly been the best shot-stopper in the Premier League and earned plaudits worldwide for his work between the sticks at Old Trafford.

United have struggled to recapture the form they displayed season in season out under Sir Alex Fergusons stewardship, placing no higher than 4th in any year since his departure – barring last terms runners-up finish with Jose Mourinho at the helm.

The trophies have dried up and the spellbinding attacking football which optimised the club’s identity has become a thing of the past, however, David De Gea has never been less than fantastic during this lean spell.

Were it not for him, who knows where United would be languishing domestically. He has been ever-present and reliable in the face of adversity, not to mention a calm, collected figure with god-like reflexes.

If Jose Mourinho’s side is to build on their improvement last season and mount a realistic title bid next time out, they need their star player at the top of his game. United staff and fans would have scarcely recognised the De Gea on show in Russia this summer, which may have planted just a seed of doubt in their minds.

Can he bounce back instantly? History suggests that he has the mental strength to do so, looking back on his early days at Old Trafford.

When he first arrived from Madrid he was a raw youngster at the tender age of 20 and nerves frequently got the better of him.

During his first year at the club, he received plenty of criticism but he quickly proved any doubters wrong, playing a key role in the teams 2012/2013 title-winning season.

From then on he has only gone from strength to strength, now firmly established as one of best in the business – if not the best.

BBC pundit Alan Shearer spoke in April about the Spaniard before the announcement of the PFA team of the year.

"“David de Gea also has to be on there,”“I think he is now the best goalkeeper in the world, and with the season he has had I don’t think many people will argue against that.”“De Gea made a brilliant and vital save to deny Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero and help Manchester United win the derby, and he has done that time and time again when it matters.” – Alan Shearer"

United players and staff have been quick to back their Number 1, with several of them taking to social media with messages of support for their teammate. He is also rumoured to be on the verge of signing a new five year deal with the club and so the future looks bright.

De Gea is now in the prime of his career and the disappointment of this summer with his national team must now be put behind him.

He is still the main man on the red side of Manchester and come August it will be time for him to once again prove himself as the best goalkeeper in European football.

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