DAVID DE GEA conjured two penalty saves in the same game to leave Manchester United fans ranting and raving.
Ranting – that having Andre Onana rather than him in goal should be a “sackable offence” for boss Erik ten Hag. And raving – that the Spaniard still has such quality.
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De Gea’s flying blocks either side of the break helped mid-table Fiorentina stun AC Milan 2-1.
The 33-year-old thwarted Theo Hernandez’s low effort to the right corner in first-half stoppage-time.
The 45-cap ace then went full-stretch the other way to keep out a tame spot-kick from ex-Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham soon after the interval.
Fiorentina were clinging on to Yacine Adli’s opener from the half-hour mark.
But after double disappointment from the spot Milan finally levelled on the hour – via a volley of spectacular technique from another ex-Blues’ frontman in Christian Pulisic.
However, Albert Gudmundsson drilled a 73rd-minute winner for Fiorentina.
And it all ended in another spot of bother for Milan left-back Hernandez – with a red card after the final whistle.
United fans homed in on De Gea’s save faster than the ex-Atletico Madrid stopper had zoomed down onto Milan’s two penalties.
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One even claimed the keeper’s hot form was another reason Ten Hag should be axed.
“Dumping him for Onana was a sackable offence,” he claimed – a reference to the Cameroonian’s arrival as De Gea’s replacement in July 2023.
DDG departed United that same month after 12 years, winning the Premier League and FA Cup once apiece.
He remains seventh in the all-time list of United appearances, on 545 in all competitions.
“Bring him back to Manchester,” pleaded one supporter, while another posted: ” “Incredible reflexes, still one of the best goalkeepers in the world”.
Other responses included “Ten Hag out”… “100 times better than Onana”… “Wish we’d kept him”… and “De Gea My Goat”.
And another fan summed up the feeling by saying: “Two penalties, two saves. De Gea doing what he does best. Absolutely clutch.”
But a few supporters reckon it was best for all parties that De Gea and United have both moved on.
And one fan even sounded bitter with his assessment: “Leaves United and then suddenly becomes a penalty specialist. Pathetic.”
Man Utd player ratings vs Villa: Evans rolls back the years with Garnacho let down
MANCHESTER UNITED eased the pressure slightly on boss Erik ten Hag with a hard-grafted stalemate at in-form Aston Villa.
United looked much more solid defensively after Ten Hag rung the changes – though the Red Devils still have just eight points from seven Prem games.
Here’s how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated 14th-placed United rated at Villa Park on Sunday.
ANDRE ONANA – 7
Guilty of sloppy distribution once or twice but his hands were safe enough and he did well to beat away a piledriver from Youri Tielemans to keep United on level terms.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Managed to contain Jaden Philogene comfortably enough in the first 45 minutes but failed to appear for the second half and was replaced by Victor Lindelof.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
Booked for a high forearm challenge on Ollie Watkins but his afternoon ended at half-time after he appeared to jar his knee defending a corner.
JONNY EVANS – 9
Handled Ollie Watkins well in the first 45 and showed all his experience to deal with the twin threat of Watkins and Jhon Duran for the final half hour. Rolled back the years with a five-star display to earn his Man of the Match rating.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Sat in and rarely got forward but snuffed out the threat of Leon Bailey and was tidy enough. Crucial block to deny Philogene a stoppage time winner.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 7
Used all his experience to plug any gaps in United’s carefully constructed midfield. Dealt with the threat from Morgan Rogers well.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Nothing flashy from the England midfielder who had his work cut out preventing Youri Tielemans carrying out his magic.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 6
Fired in a first-half shot which Emi Martinez dealt with comfortably but shot hopelessly wide a couple of times after the break. Sloppy finishing let him down.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 8
United’s skipper only played after his red card against Spurs was overturned on appeal.
Kept his cool here to avoid a third red card in three games – came closest for United with a free kick which crashed off the Villa crossbar.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 7
Taken off at half-time in Oporto and taken off after 64 minutes to save himself a second yellow card here!
Looked United’s likeliest match-winner after forcing an early save from Martinez before bringing the best out in the Argentine World Cup winner with a sizzling effort which the ‘keeper tipped over. Booked for a foul on Cash.
RASMUS HOJLUND – 6
Put himself about and was involved in the clash which led to Ezri Konsa limping off. But lacked service and was replaced by Zirkzee just beyond the hour mark. Below par.
SUBS
MATTHIJS DE LIGT for Maguire (46 minutes) – 5 – Conceded a few fouls in dangerous areas. Still finding his feet.
VICTOR LINDELOF for Mazraoui (46 mins) – 6 – First appearance since March but fitted in well as a stand-in right-back. Booked for a foul on Morgan Rogers.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE for Hojlund (64 mins) – 5 – Miles off the pace, failed to make any impact.
ANTONY for Rashford (64 mins) – 6 – Brought out the best in Emi Martinez with a curler which was heading for the top bin until the keeper plucked it out of mid-air.
CASEMIRO for Mainoo (85 mins) – 6 – Helped see out the match for United.