A review of Man Utd's player of the season - David De Gea

The Stretford Stand

Spanish international David de Gea was signed by the Red Devils as a replacement for long term keeper and Dutch sensation, Edwin van der Sar as he announced his retirement, and has enjoyed his greatest season to date at the Theatre of Dreams.

De Gea was welcomed to the Manchester club by then the manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and the number one, formally of La Liga side Atletico Madrid, took some time to settle in the English way of football. Nonetheless, he developed into the first choice keeper in the United camp. Admitteldy, questions were raised regarding his ability, but he turned out as a good investment for the Reds; and soon was in competition with other higher rated goalkeepers.

After guarding the net for almost every minute of United’s 2014-15 season, halted only by injury in the two concluding fixtures, de Gea’s skills were a pleasure to watch. Although he didn’t have as many clean sheets as the rival teams’ goalkeepers had, which many had blamed the unstable defense of United for that.

Unfortunately, the season didn’t quite start as expected, with United lost their opening fixture of the Premier League at home to Welsh side Swansea City. The defeat was soon followed by a nightmare, suffering a 5-3 hammering by recently promoted Leicester City. But after the bad times on the pitch, he was slowly starting to get back on his feet.

He had hit top form in the game against Merseyside outfit Everton, and saved Leighton Baines’ penalty to keep his side in the game. However, it was later in the match de Gea received the largest cheers from the crowd. United emerged victorious 2-1, and the shot stopper was named Man of the Match. Other than saving the spot kick, he displayed his reflexes in the dying minutes of the game where two important saves retained the victory for the Red Devils. A new era of goalkeeping at the Theatre of Dreams had begun.

De Gea's magnificent saves in the final minutes saved the day for United against Everton

Since that match, fortunes were bright for the goalkeeper. He had played a monumental involvement in United’s’ league campaign, with the club snatching fourth place and subsequently reaching qualification for the Champions League, Europe’s grand stage.

Whenever the Old Trafford back four were unsatisfactory, it was de Gea’s responsibility to keep the danger down, something displayed with finesse throughout the season. He was once again in the spotlight when facing top four rivals Arsenal. The North London club could manage to score only in the stoppage time of the second half – which caused minimal issues for Louis van Gaal’s men, with a comfortable two goal lead.

However, it was his heroics that United had won this game in a comfortable way. The talent of de Gea didn’t stop there, also displaying his world-class ability against league leaders Chelsea at Old Trafford. Keeping the likes of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fábregas and Nemanja Matic at bay, conceding just the single goal allowed the Reds to take a point against a resilient force.

Even when things were not looking good for United, he would always be at his best. After being knocked out of the FA Cup, United were on their top form and de Gea continued to impress against Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool and local rivals Manchester City in consecutive weeks.

Sergio Aguero had maintained his form of scoring against United and had also given the lead to City. But the Red Devils came from behind to score a tremendous four goals, with de Gea holding out until the last 10 minutes, when Manuel Pellegrini’s side in full swing found the net just once. The win had almost confirmed United’s place in the Champions League for the following season, and the goalkeeper had earned his plaudits.

In the remaining six games, a lackluster conclusion to the campaign saw just one victory come against Crystal Palace. Strong reflexes and dynamic ability in one-on-one situations ensured Alan Pardew could only celebrate the one goal, and van Gaal celebrated victory.

De Gea made his last appearance of the season in the game against Arsenal, where he was sidelined due to a knock on his knee. Many believe that it could in fact be his last appearance in a United shirt, with reports suggesting a deal back to Madrid is reaching the final stages – which could see him replace fellow international Iker Casillas as the number one for Los Galacticos.

De Gea with the Manchester United player of the year award

The goalkeeper claimed the Players’ and Fan’s Player of the Year awards for a second consecutive season to top a memorable campaign, but de Gea’s reign could be over after his pivotal season.