Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been forced to make an alarming admission about David de Gea’s kicking, as he identified a possible cause for the Spanish goalkeeper’s struggles in English football.
De Gea has been a mainstay in the United goal since joining the club in 2011, but his form has been inconsistent in recent seasons. The 30-year-old has made a number of high-profile errors, leading to speculation that he could be replaced in the summer.
Now, Solskjaer has revealed that De Gea’s kicking could be a factor in his struggles. Speaking ahead of United’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, the Norwegian said: “David’s kicking has been a bit of an issue. He’s not used to the English style of kicking, which is a bit different to the Spanish style.”
The admission is a worrying one for United fans, as it suggests that De Gea’s struggles could be down to more than just a lack of form. It could be that the Spaniard is simply not suited to the English game, and that he may never be able to reach the heights he achieved in his first few seasons at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer also revealed that he has been working with De Gea on his kicking in training, in an attempt to help him adjust to the English style. “We’ve been working on it in training,” he said. “We’ve been trying to get him to kick the ball further and with more accuracy.”
The United boss also suggested that De Gea’s struggles could be down to a lack of confidence, and that he is trying to help the goalkeeper regain his belief. “It’s about confidence,” he said. “We’ve been trying to get him to believe in himself and his ability.”
It remains to be seen whether De Gea can turn his form around and become the goalkeeper he once was. But for now, Solskjaer’s admission is a worrying one for United fans, as it suggests that the Spaniard may never be able to reach the heights he achieved in his first few seasons at Old Trafford.