Basics bolster United

Keep the faith

David De Gea has kept three of United's five clean sheets in all competitions since the Manchester derby defeat at Old Trafford.

25 Oct - Aldershot Town - Won 3-0*
29 Oct - Everton - Won 1-0
02 Nov - Otelul Galati - Won 2-0
05 Nov - Sunderland - Won 1-0**
19 Nov - Swansea C - Won 1-0

*Ben Amos played in goal at Aldershot.
** Anders Lindegaard played in goal v Sunderland.

20/11/2011 15:09, Report by Adam Bostock

United’s ability to adapt following adversity is again paying dividends, according to the club’s longest-serving player.

The Reds have now racked up five consecutive wins and haven’t conceded a goal since the dramatic late collapse against Manchester City, 450 minutes of football ago. Ryan Giggs says this improvement on the defensive side of the game owes something to a change of style.

“We’ve gone back to basics and defended really well since City,” Giggs told MUTV after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Swansea.

“It wasn’t just the goals against City [that concerned us], it was also the chances that were being created against us in the other games.

“Our opponents were getting too many chances and our new goalkeeper, David De Gea, was having far too many shots to save.

“Solidity is something we have always prided ourselves on, at the back and throughout the team really.

“Swansea played some great football against us and kept the ball well, but they didn’t really hurt us. It was a tough game for our midfielders and forwards but at the back we defended well and they didn’t have many chances.”

United didn’t create many chances either, but Giggs says the Reds have just the man for the job when goals are demanded from a drip-drip supply line.

“When Chicharito’s on the pitch you know that if you put a ball in a certain area he’s going to be there. And more often than not he’s going to put it away.

"It was great for me to set up the goal, and for us to win in my first-ever league game in Wales."

source : Manutd

De Gea on track with Spain

15/11/2011 12:08, Report by Adam Bostock

United goalkeeper David De Gea helped Spain’s next generation notch a fifth consecutive win in the UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifiers on Monday night.

The Reds’ number one kept a clean sheet as goals from Iker Muniain, Thiago Alcantara and Marc Bartra secured a comfortable 3-0 win over Switzerland – the same team De Gea and company defeated in July’s final.

“We were crowned European champions in the summer but the great thing is that good players are continuing to come through,” said Spain’s Under-21 coach Luis Milla.

“We have to continue along this path − the process of qualifying remains on track."

Two other young Reds, Will Keane and Robbie Brady, were also in action for their country’s Under-21 sides. Keane collected his second England cap at that level as a 78th-minute substitute, as Stuart Pearce’s side lost 2-1 by conceding an injury-time goal in Belgium. Liverpool pair Jordan Henderson and Martin Kelly had earlier combined to give the visitors a first-half lead, the latter heading in from his team-mate’s free-kick.

England remain top of qualifying Group 8 however, having won their first four fixtures in a row including last Thursday’s 5-0 thumping of Iceland when Keane made his debut.

The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, are third in Group 7 after United winger Brady scored a penalty and set up the other goal for Aidan White in their 2-0 home win over Liechtenstein.

source : Manutd

De Gea's leading lady nets star role

By DAVID COVERDALE

Published: 11 Nov 2011

ONE THAT HE WANTS ... Edurne as Sandy

DAVID DE GEA has produced some lightnin' saves this season and now he has bagged his very own Sandy.

The Manchester United goalkeeper's gorgeous Spanish girlfriend Edurne is to star as the leading lady in Barcelona's version of Grease.

And as our slideshow of pictures prove, De Gea has clearly got his gloves on the one that he wants. 

Pop singer Edurne, 25, hails from from Madrid and came sixth in Spain's version of X Factor in 2005.

The blonde beauty went on to release four albums before landing the role of Sandy.

On joining United in the summer, De Gea was quizzed on how the couple would cope with the increased media spotlight.

The Spain Under-21 stopper said: "I don't think it will be a problem. Edurne will keep singing ballads and I'll keep stopping balls."

With Spain's array of goalkeeping talent, De Gea may not have any summer nights to look forward to in Euro 2012.

But with United still challenging on all four fronts, fans will be hoping he will stay hopelessly devoted to their cause.

source : The Sun