David de Gea mistake: Darren Fletcher offers Manchester United goalkeeper support
The Spaniard made an horrendous error to allow Sunderland to score
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Darren Fletcher insists David de Gea has nothing to reproach himself for despite making the mistake that cost Manchester United a place in the Capital One Cup final.
United were less than two minutes away from securing a Wembley date with Manchester City when De Gea allowed a weak Phil Bardsley shot to slip through his fingers.
Though the hosts responded immediately through Javier Hernandez, it was only enough to send the tie into a penalty shoot-out, which ended in farce as only Fletcher was successful from United's five kicks, allowing Sunderland to scrape through.
It was yet another dismal night for manager David Moyes.
However, for De Gea, Fletcher does not believe there is any blame attached.
"David will be fine," the Scotland midfielder told MUTV.
"He has been fantastic for us. There has not been a better goalkeeper around for the last 18 months.
"He has been one of the most positive things about this season.
"He is disappointed but all goalkeepers make mistakes and he will show what a top goalkeeper he is."
Fletcher believed De Gea atoned for his error by making a key shoot-out contribution, in particular denying Adam Johnson with the kick that would have won the game for Sunderland.
Unfortunately for the hosts, it just proved to be the prelude for more misery as Rafael failed from the spot, just as Danny Welbeck, Adnan Januzaj and Phil Jones had done beforehand.
"Penalties are a lottery but we should still be disappointed with our execution of them," said Fletcher.
"We had the momentum going into the penalties but it didn't pan out the way I thought.
"At Old Trafford, to only score one is disappointing, there is no denying that."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments