Solskjaer rejects Neville’s De Gea Man Utd contract claims
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rejected suggestions that David de Gea‘s uncertain Manchester United future is affecting his performances.
De Gea was uncharacteristically at fault for United in their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, in what was the first Premier League loss of Solskjaer’s interim reign.
You can read 16 Conclusions on a game which saw United drop down to fifth below the Gunners after goals from Granit Xhaka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
De Gea cannot shoulder too much responsibility for Aubameyang’s second-half penalty, but his inability to keep out Xhaka’s first-half effort was questioned.
Gary Neville told Sky Sports that “all the noise of the contract” seems to have taken its toll on the Spaniard, who “has not been at his best this season”.
But Solskjaer insisted that De Gea is able to “focus” despite ongoing contract negotiations.
“David is too professional to let his mind wander,” he said.
“The best players, they know how to focus.
“I don’t class it as a mistake. I’m stood right behind the ball. We don’t put pressure on Xhaka.
“He must be Brazilian because the way he struck the ball and it swerves and moves in the air – it goes towards David’s left and then changes direction completely. That’s just one of those things.”
