Manchester United caretaker boss, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, has refused to blame David De Gea for Arsenal’s opener during the 2-0 defeat at the Emirates.
Solskjaer, speaking after the game, rejected suggestions from Gary Neville that the Spaniard’s form is suffering because of uncertainty over his future.
De Gea, who is approaching the final year of his deal at Old Trafford, was wrong-footed by Granit Xhaka’s speculative 25-yard strike after 12 minutes, to set United on their way to a first Premier League defeat under Solskjaer.
Neville suggested “noise in his ear” surrounding the contract stand-off might be affecting the 28-year-old, but Solskjaer insisted the goalkeeper is focused.
“I don’t class [the goal] 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, goes towards David’s left and then changes direction completely. That’s just one of those things.
“David is really focused and concentrated. He’s too professional to let his mind wander. The best players know how to focus and he’s been absolutely fantastic,” the Norwegian told Sky Sports.
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