'De Gea is fantastic but can't play like Ederson or Alisson' - Van der Sar

James Shearman

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:55 CDT
• 3 min read

Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar has praised David de Gea's time at Old Trafford, even though he does not suit modern football all that well.

De Gea signed for United in 2011, having impressed for Atletico Madrid, as the long-term replacement for Van der Sar.

The Dutchman won seven trophies in six seasons for the Red Devils, a feat that De Gea has so far failed to reproduce.

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But the Spaniard has made an incredible 507 appearances for the club, winning five Player of the Year awards in the process.

The lack of silverware can be put down to the quality of his teammates, rather than his own shortcomings.

"David has done fantastically. He succeeded me in 2011, it's now 2022 - he's played 11 years and five times player of the season," Van der Sar told The Athletic.

De Gea can't play like Ederson or Alisson

Van der Sar did admit that De Gea lacks the ball-playing ability that is wanted by the top coaches at the top teams.

"Yes, De Gea is a certain type of goalkeeper, and he is very good at certain points and a little bit less at other ones. Nobody is perfect,'' the 52-year-old added.

"Nowadays the goalkeepers, they are amazing in how they can play the ball with the left foot and the right foot.

"Alisson and Ederson are two great examples, the way they hit the ball is inch-perfect on the crest of the jersey.

''My game was more about coming outside the box to anticipate and intercept a through ball. They have become much more like the 11th outfield player."

De Gea has been criticised on multiple occasions for not being comfortable enough at playing out from the back.

And the Spaniard's contract is up at the end of the season, meaning the Red Devils can offload him, should they want a more modern goalkeeper.