Now you mention it I do remember that. Turns out he's a fantastic shot stopper. He did struggle with crosses for a while but seems to have nailed that now.
True. I backed De Gea at the time though, I said he'd become a quality keeper although it was bleeding obvious
Jinxing bastards De Gea dislocates finger on international. Hope Lindo steps up but it really says something about De Gea and how far he's come that his absence against arsenal could be the difference between winning and losing.
To be fair he did have issues with his positioning when he first arrived. Made him a bit dodgy on long shots and meant he was coming to claim crosses from a bad position and getting blocked off. But he had the reflexes and handling to be a top keeper, so the only question was whether he would keep his mental strength up whilst he work on positioning. A question he has answered with a resounding yes
David de Gea says he feels "very loved" by United amid interest from Real Madrid. The 24-year-old, who dislocated his finger in Spain training on Friday, has continued his superb form from last season but is out of contract in 2016. Tipped to succeed Real stopper Iker Casillas at international level, De Gea has been touted for a move to the Bernabeu, too. "It is difficult to say whether a bid will be made by Real, because of all the rumours that appear in the press," De Gea told La Sexta. "In Manchester I feel wanted. If you took seriously what is written about you, you'd almost think you're going to a thousand clubs. "So the best you can do is pay attention to where you are. I feel very loved by Man United."
Louis van Gaal is considering a January move for Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin after drawing up a short-list of targets to bolsterManchester United’s injury-ravaged defensive options. The 28-year-old is under contract with Spanish champions Atletico until June 2018, but it is understood that he has a €36m (£28.5m) release clause in his deal at the Vicente Calderon - a fee which would not prove prohibitive to United. Bayern Munich had pursued Godin during the summer transfer window, but the German champions moved instead for the Roma defender, Mehdi Benatia. He's a tough but tricky little fcker I'll give him that, but I'm not sure he'll be good enough to command a back 4.
“The knee caused – and is causing – me problems," Vidal said. "But I’m trying to get in top shape.” £40million would have been a lot to spend on someone with an ongoing knee problem. Right call by the club.
Godin is a very good defender and a threat from set plays at the other end. Far better than anything you currently have IMO. Had a brilliant year last year.
Especially after our experience with Hargreaves. A man who has issues with his knee in a league like Italy would probably struggle a lot with the heavier pitches and harder tackling in the PL.
Do we really need him anyway? Surely with Herrera, Carrick, Blind and Fellaini we can sort out a decent CM partnership and just go and buy the centre half an right back we actually require. Make do and maybe get a fit Strootman in summer.
I know all about Godin, I have been watching him since his Villareal days. He is better than anything we have but that shouldn't be the only "tick box" for a new CB for us. In terms of United (and the prem) either a commanding physical presence or someone with a bit of pace on the turn or in the box are important attributes. I question Godin has either of those. He's a tough fcker, good in the air and very dependable, but that is where his game begins and ends, he isn't going to think beyond that. He's not going to play the ball out or worry about turning defence into attack. I guess it depends on whether you want a dependable stalwart who will improve our defence in the short term, or a CB that offers more to his game and build for the long term. He is a leader, and we badly need that in our defence, but I also wonder whether he can bring that leadership to the prem depending on his English, but that is probably something he would easily overcome.
Time we pulled the plug on any potential Vidal deal. If he claims his knee is still a problem, then leave the deal alone
Been watching William Carvalho for Sporting Lisbon and I really believe we should be going all out to buy this kid. I know we have plenty of midfielders atm, but I think we should be planning ahead and he is definitely a natural replacement for Carrick. Commands the midfield, reads and anticipates passes and intercepts. Intelligent with his passes to turn defence into attack. And he can play CB (although that's not primarily why I'd want him). I can't stress enough how much I would want him at OT. I'm also a little worried one of our rivals will snap him up in January.
Be good for Saints but we don't want him so don't see the hilarity. In fact, do we actually want anyone in this window? We're playing well and beginning to improve, players are gradually getting back from injury and the temporary full backs have done well. Do we need Strootman with Carrick, Fellaini and Herrera all doing ok and Blind to come back? Possibly a centre half but couldn't Blind cover there when fit or Carrick move back there as cover to accommodate Blind? Might as well wait til summer.
