03 June 2023 , 21:39
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Erik ten Hag has leapt to the defence of David de Gea after the Manchester United keeper came under fire for his performance in the FA Cup final.
De Gea has been Ten Hag's first-choice between the sticks for the entirety of the Dutchman's first season in charge at Old Trafford. But a number of mistakes have plagued his campaign, with a fresh blast coming his way on Saturday.
The Spaniard was criticised for his role in Ilkay Gundogan 's second goal, which he could only palm into the bottom corner. That strike proved to be the winner, with United losing their ninth FA Cup final, a new record in the competition.
But Ten Hag was not interested in putting any blame on De Gea and instead defended his keeper. He did admit there were "issues" to address from United's performance, but he was not focused solely on De Gea.
"In this moment, I don't want to talk about such issues of criticism because we played all a great season - including David De Gea, he played a fantastic season. Say it like this, we are in the right direction," Ten Hag said.
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"But there are occasions in the game, issues in the game we have to improve, definitely, if we want to make the next step and win trophies. I have only one plan, that is to improve this club and to improve this team.
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De Gea has come under fire for his performance in the FA Cup final (Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)"I have my ideas and I already told the club what we have to do for that but I have to work with my staff, with my players to be better next season. It's not about getting players in and they do well.
"It's about we work all season and day by day to develop the team, progress the team. I'm very proud where we came from in the start of the season."
Ten Hag's comments come with De Gea's future up in the air, with his contract expiring this summer. He still has not signed fresh terms and United legend Roy Keane has called for Ten Hag to move on from the Spaniard.
"City have done this set piece before with someone from the edge of the box. He doesn't hit it that cleanly and it goes through bodies but United have to get a new keeper," Keane told ITV when analysing Gundogan's second goal.
"They need a world-class striker and a goalkeeper, and other players for strength in depth too. I am sick of saying it. A top goalkeeper saves that. They get you over the line in big games and that could have been the difference today.
"They need a world-class goalkeeper and he isn't. We will keep talking about it. Some of these players aren't good enough for United. They have to spend the money to get the players United deserve."