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Solskjaer says De Gea

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Solskjaer says De Gea "mentally strong enough"

Phil Egan
Phil Egan

12:43 21 Jul 2020


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Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes David de Gea is "mentally strong enough" to deal with criticism following another serious error during the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea.

De Gea was at fault for two goals in Sunday's semi-final at Wembley, especially the second conceded to Mason Mount.

The 29-year-old, who signed a four-year contract with United in September has not been as reliable as he once was.

United are back in action on Wednesday night against West Ham and know a win would put them firmly in the driving seat to finish in the Premier League's top four.

Solskjaer made it clear from the early in his pre-match conference on Tuesday morning that the form of De Gea would not dominate the press briefing.

The United boss refused to single out his number 1 when he asked if the Spain international was set to be dropped for the game against the Hammers at Old Trafford.

"This is not going to become a David de Gea press conference," Solskjaer said.

"We are just going to stick together. We've got two games and we're going to focus on that.

"David is mentally strong enough to know his job is to perform in training the next day and be ready for the games.

"My job is to prepare the team for West Ham and that's what we're doing.

"We're not going to talk about individuals because no one here is going to feel that we put more pressure on them."

United had beaten Chelsea on three occasions this season before Sunday's meeting at Wembley and recent form suggested it would be more of the same.

However, Solskjaer changed his formation and starting 11 and they were second best against Frank Lampard's side.

"When you lose a game you're hurt, you're disappointed and you've just got to focus on the next thing," Solskjaer said.

"A defeat is not the end of the world, it was the end of the FA Cup dream and the final but now it's business as usual and onto the next game.

"A defeat isn't the end of the world. Now, it's business as usual and onto the next game.

"We've had so many setbacks as a club, we've lost big games before and we've turned that round. That's what we have to do now."

 


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David De Dea Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Premier League West Ham

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