Following Manchester United’s 4-1 loss to Manchester City on Sunday, goalkeeper David de Gea offered a strong message to the club’s supporters, becoming the first United player to break his quiet on social media since the game.
City won comfortably thanks to two goals apiece from Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez on either side of the half-time break, completing a league double over their cross-city rivals. After De Bruyne’s fifth-minute opening, Jadon Sancho equalized for United, but it was the best the afternoon could offer.
City, who have reclaimed a six-point lead at the top with their latest three-point haul, toyed with United after Mahrez scored his first and his team’s third, with ‘ole’s ringing out from the home supporters as they controlled possession. United struggled in the second half, failing to register a single shot, emphasizing their problems.
However, goalkeeper De Gea, who was once again hampered by a shaky defensive line in front of him, has refused to back down from the criticism leveled at United by its fans. He has sent out a powerful message and made a pledge to the supporters.
“We will, one day, return this club back to where it ought to be,” the Spaniard wrote on Twitter. Today was another awful day in a tough season, but as long as we have this shirt to protect, we will not give up.”
Despite the fact that he conceded four times, De Gea was one of United’s better performers. In the build-up to City’s second goal, he produced a fantastic save to deny Phil Foden, and he had little support from his defense for the third.
United interim manager Ralf Rangnick commented on his team’s performance, saying: “[It is] upsetting for the players, for us because [after the third goal] we realized that it would probably be impossible to come back into that game.”
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“[It’s upsetting] for everyone, not just our supporters, players, and the entire staff; obviously, you want to win a derby, but we have to recognize that in the second half, especially after the third, they showed what sort of top quality squad they have.”
