Michael Owen has leapt to the defence of his Manchester United teammate David de Gea.

The Spanish goalkeeper was criticised for both goals during United's loss to rivals Liverpool in the FA Cup yesterday afternoon.

However, Owen has revealed that he doesn't agree with the negative comments that are currently being made about the 21-year-old.

"One comment on yesterdays game. Don't agree with all this negativity towards De Gea," Owen wrote on Twitter.

"Admittedly he has made a couple of mistakes this season but listening to some people you would think he had a nightmare yesterday.

"I'm not having either goal was his fault. The problem is, once you get labelled, mud sticks and now any tiny mistake is magnified. Other keepers make similar mistakes and nothing gets said."

Owen is currently out of action with a hamstring injury.