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Football

20th Nov 2021

David De Gea admits Man United ‘don’t know what to do with the ball’

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has admitted his teammates 'don't know what to do with the ball', something everyone else has known for a while

Reuben Pinder

De Gea was the only United player to come out of the game with any credit, and he conceded four goals

David De Gea haas admitted his Manchester United teammates “don’t know what to do with the ball,” adding that they “don’t know how to defend properly” either.

Two quite obvious statements to anyone who has watched United over the past few weeks, but staggering to hear from a current player.

The goalkeeper made the comments to BBC Radio 5 Live Sport following the game at Vicarage Road.

United lost 4-1 to Watford on Saturday afternoon, and it could have been worse had De Gea not been in decent form. The Spaniard saved a penalty in the first half, and the retake after encroachment from both teams gave the hosts a second chance at taking the lead.

Josh King gave the Hornets the lead shortly afterwards, before Ismaila Sarr made it 2-0 before the break.

As Ole Gunnar Solskjaer threw in the towel, or Donny van de Beek as he is also known, United actually started to grow back into the team. The Dutch international scored just five minutes after coming off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback.

United captain Harry Maguire was sent off for two yellow card offences, before Watford scored another two late goals to make it four defeats in five league games for Solskjaer’s side.

After the game, Solskjaer walked over to the travelling fans and apologised for the embarrassing display.

Bruno Fernandes felt obliged at this moment in time to remind the fans that he and his teammates must also take responsibility.

But if you don’t know what to do with the ball, or how to defend properly, that must ultimately stem back to the manager.

Thanks for the memories, Ole, but I think this might be goodbye.