Manchester United first-choice goalkeeper David de Gea has warned his teammates that they can’t afford to allow a repetition of what happened to them last season.
According to David De Gea, their 2021/22 season was an embarrassing mess and disaster. The Red Devils finished last season in the sixth position in the English Premier League, failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, and also had their worst-ever points tally in the competition (58).
Man United also failed to win a trophy for the fifth consecutive year but they are showing signs of a change under new manager Erik ten Hag.
The former Ajax head coach joined Manchester United a few months ago and has got them back to winning ways in just a few pre-season games. Also, the Dutchman has introduced harsh rules which his players must obey or get punished for breaking any of the rules.
Speaking to reporters, De Gea said: “For me and everyone it was a very tough season, embarrassing sometimes. Some games were a mess, a disaster.
“So we should learn from last season that that cannot happen again because it was tough, it was painful to be there. We were not capable to win games and losing games 4-0 or 5-0, was unacceptable. But sometimes you have to feel the pain to get up and keep going.”
🗣 David de Gea: “Yeah, for me and for everyone, it was a very tough season, embarrassing sometimes. Some games were a mess, a disaster.
— Utd District (@UtdDistrict) July 22, 2022
‘So we should learn from last season that it cannot happen again because it was tough. I hope everyone reflects.” [Mail]
United defeated Liverpool 4-0 in Bangkok to kick off their pre-season campaign in style. They then defeated Melbourne Victory 4-1 to start their Australian tour. After defeating Crystal Palace 3-1, Ten Hag’s team was held to a 2-2 draw by Aston Villa despite being ahead 2-0 at the break.
United still have two games left before the start of the new season as they will play against Spanish La Liga giants Atletico Madrid on 30th July in Oslo and then travel to Old Trafford a day later to play against Rayo Vallecano.
Manchester United will officially start their Premier League campaign with a home match against Brighton on August 7.
Since the preseason campaign started, Man United star player Cristiano Ronaldo is yet to join the team after he revealed that he wanted to leave.
Cristiano Ronaldo is reportedly not ready to play in the UEFA Europa League as he wants to continue challenging for the Champions League in the last years of his career. Man United and Erik ten Hag has made it clear that they don’t want to release the five times Ballon d’Or winner who has one year left in his contract with them.
But the club is also interested in signing a new striker and Ajax player Antony is among their priorities this summer.
Although Man United started their summer transfer window business very late, they have secured the services of three new players including former Tottenham Hotspur and Inter Milan star Christian Eriksen. Erik ten Hag has stated that the club needs to sign more players if they want to challenge for trophies next season.
