Scholes has criticised goalkeeper de Gea for his lack of an imposing presence.
Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has slammed David de Gea for his lack of presence between the sticks.
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The Spanish goalkeeper was extremely impressive during United’s 2-1 win at Old Trafford against struggling Everton last weekend. He made a string of quality saves, even keeping a Leighton Baines penalty out to ensure the win.
Former England midfielder Scholes recognised the 23-year-old’s quality, but does not believe he has the same talent that previous Red Devils shot-stoppers like Edwin van der Sar and Peter Schmeichel had.
“I have always thought that with the best goalkeepers – and especially United’s best goalkeepers – a large part of their success has been about their presence. Peter Schmeichel had it. Edwin van der Sar did, too,” the Englishman was quoted by the Daily Express.
“With a top goalkeeper, you catch the opposition’s forward glancing across at him in the tunnel before the game.
“With Schmeichel and Van der Sar, you could imagine them thinking ‘I am going to have to be good to score today’.
“David does not have that physical presence yet, but he can develop that if he wants to. What he does have is a calm personality.
“He is a quiet lad, not a really hard worker, but one who is capable of some great saves.”
De Gea joined United in 2011 for £17.8m – a British record fee for a goalkeeper.
The youngster took a while to bed into the team and adjust to the pace of the Premier League, but has quickly become one of the standout ‘keepers in the top flight of English football.
The Red Devils are undeniably going through a transition period at the moment. Having struggled earlier in the season, they have steadily managed to move up the table and are currently sat in fourth position.
Louis van Gaal certainly has a long way to go if he wants to bring back the glory days, but having an imposing stopperr will go a long way to helping him do just that.