David De Gea with his honest post-match verdict on the goalless draw against Newcastle United

Manchester United were held to a goalless draw at Old Trafford by the rapidly improving Newcastle United under Eddie Howe. There were key moments for both teams to take the lead however it did not come to fruition with keepers David de Gea and Nick Pope going back home with a clean sheet.

Speaking post the game (h/t Manchester Evening News), United keeper De Gea who made his 500th appearance for the club, gave an honest assessment of the game and felt it was a missed opportunity for the team to pick up three points.

“I think we miss another opportunity to win the three points.

We had a couple of massive chances at the end but that is football, sometimes you miss your chances and at least we keep a clean sheet.”

Although keeping praise for the level shown by the opposition, the United shot-stopper believed the team could have picked up three points and were a bit unlucky with missed chances at the end that could have kept them in close proximity with Chelsea, who are in fourth position currently.

The league game against Newcastle United marked a special occasion for the Spanish keeper who appeared in his remarkable 500th game for Manchester United, a feat only achieved by a very few with the historic club.

Since making his transfer from Atletico Madrid in 2011, De Gea has been United’s no.1 for more than a decade and has won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award on four occasions while also collecting the club’s Players’ Player of the Year award three times.

While he has seen his fair share of criticism, especially for his ball-playing abilities, there is no denying that he is one of the world’s top shot-stoppers and has definitely improved his ability to play out from the back under new manager Erik ten Hag.

On top of that, De Gea has developed his leadership qualities over time and is one of the senior figures in the dressing room. More than ever, we need players in our team who are proud to represent the jersey and the Spanish goalkeeper is definitely one of them.

There are speculations of United looking for a competitor or even a potential successor for De Gea and ideally, a young deputy with a high potential for growth capable of taking over in a couple of seasons should be looked at.

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For now, De Gea is our No.1 for the foreseeable future and hopefully is on top form when Manchester United take on third in the league Tottenham Hotspur midweek.