SM
Barcelona vs. Valencia: 10 hrs 59 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
SL
Premier League | Gameweek 22
Jan 13, 2019 at 4.30pm UK
 
MU

0-1

 
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rashford (44')

Solskjaer lavishes praise on De Gea after United maintain winning run

:Headline: Solskjaer lavishes praise on De Gea after United maintain winning run: ID:346772: from db_amp
Solskjaer became the first Manchester United manager to win his first six matches in charge.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer called David De Gea the "best goalkeeper in the world" after his superb performance helped Manchester United to a record-breaking win at Tottenham.

Sunday's encounter between the two bookmakers' favourites to permanently succeed Jose Mourinho as Red Devils boss lived up to the billing at Wembley, where Marcus Rashford's sublime first-half strike sealed a 1-0 win against Mauricio Pochettino's Spurs.

It extended caretaker boss Solskjaer's winning start to a club-record sixth successive match in all competitions, but the main subject of conversation afterwards was De Gea.

After a quiet opening period, the United goalkeeper pulled off 11 saves in an exceptional second-half display that earned plaudits aplenty.

"Obviously it's a tough venue to come to," Solskjaer said after the win. "Spurs are flying at the moment – they score goals, they've got some fantastic players and we defended really well.

"We had a fantastic goalkeeper, obviously.

"Second half, we made hard work of it. Maybe because of ourselves they created many, many chances but first half I thought it was spot on.

"Team spirit, we can defend – Jonah [Phil Jones], Victor (Lindelof) fantastic with Luke (Shaw) and Ash (Young) next to them.

"We've got the best goalkeeper in the world – I've said that many times – and we've got blistering pace up front and the goal was fantastic by Rash.

"It's a hard skill, you know, to score from that angle with a right foot and an instep.

"I thought he was going to go near post, but it was a well-struck finish."

Asked if this was the best he had seen from De Gea, Solskjaer said: "Well, he had one against Arsenal a couple of years ago – but he should have held a few of them!

"But there's maybe one or two fantastic saves and the rest was just about concentration and being in the right position.

"We've had some great keepers at this club and I think he's challenging both Edwin (Van Der Sar) and Peter (Schmeichel) for the number one spot historically."

Talk over De Gea's United future is sure to intensify after Sunday's heroics, with his deal due to expire next summer – after the activation of a one-year extension clause.

Press Association Sport understands talks are ongoing and the 28-year-old certainly seems happy at the club under caretaker boss Solskjaer.

"He brings happiness, the players are playing very well," De Gea told Sky Sports.

"The team is strong now, very strong.

"We know how to control the games, how to keep the ball, how to create chances, and that's very good for us. This is the real Manchester United."

Paul Pogba is another enjoying playing for rejuvenated United, having struggled under Mourinho in recent months.

"I'm enjoying playing football," he said, having provided a superb assist for Rashford.

"It was difficult in the system (under Mourinho), the tactics we used to play. "I like to be more attacking, pressing, play high. Defending is not my best attribute."

Spurs striker Harry Kane limped off the pitch at full-time with an ankle injury (Mike Egerton/PA)

Tottenham head coach Pochettino was upbeat about his side's display in defeat, with star man Harry Kane's ankle issue his main concern.

The England striker has been out with similar injuries in each of the last two seasons, compounding the first-half withdrawal of the limping Moussa Sissoko.

"I think I am worried because we will see what happens with Harry Kane," Pochettino said. "I think Moussa is only a small thing but we will see, we need to assess Harry Kane.

"At the end I think he suffered a big tackle and twisted his ankle and now we need to assess him over the next few days, hoping it is not a big issue."

amp_article__346772 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-01-14 07:33:58:
html db last update - 2021-03-06 18:58:38 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .