“A crime” – Man United coach Benni McCarthy’s passionate defence of criticised player

Manchester United first-team coach Beni McCarthy has come to the defence of goalkeeper David de Gea following criticism of the shot stopper.

De Gea, 32, has struggled to adapt to the ball playing demands under Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford. Despite this, he won the Premier League Golden Glove award following the conclusion of the campaign last month.

Many United fans believe that the club should be looking to improve upon the Spaniard, who has a matter of weeks left on his current deal with the club. It seems likely that he will be extending his contract on a lower wage.

McCarthy came into the club as an attacking coach under Ten Hag. The former Porto striker believes that criticism for De Gea is way over the mark for a top goalkeeper, and if he were to leave the club, the coach says it would be ‘a crime’.

“He kept 17 clean sheets in the league. Yes, of course, you’re going to concede, but to win the Golden Glove for yet another season is remarkable,” he told 947 Joburg.

“You see how difficult the league is so I understand that everyone has a bad game here and there, but it doesn’t stop him from being one of the best goalkeepers I’ve seen and I’ve worked with. He is unbelievable.

“I work with him every single day and I get to see first hand more than what most people get to do. You only see him on a Saturday or on a matchday, and if you see him make a mistake the critics hit the roof.

“But I get to spend every single day with him and he is an unbelievable guy, a great lad, very intelligent and one of the best goalkeepers I have seen. It would be a crime if Man United lose a goalkeeper like David de Gea.”

Meanwhile, Ten Hag has suggested that he does need a goalkeeper who can consistently show quality with the ball at his feet.

When asked about De Gea’s distribution, the United boss replied: “Say it like this, we are in the right direction. But there are occasions in the game, issues in the game we have to improve, definitely, if we want to make the next step and win trophies.”