David de Gea has blunt message for his Manchester United team-mates as they hunt down rivals City
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David de Gea has admitted Manchester United must be more consistent if they are to challenge for the title next season.
De Gea has enjoyed another impressive season with United, keeping 17 clean sheets in Premier League to stand on the brink of winning the Golden Glove for the first time.
But the United goalkeeper acknowledged Jose Mourinho's side were too inconsistent this season to get anywhere near champions Manchester City and must ensure they address that next term.
Although United have beaten City, Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea this season, dropped points against Stoke, Huddersfield, Leicester, Burnley, Southampton, Newcastle and West Brom ultimately undermined their title challenge.
(Image: REUTERS)
De Gea believes United have in Mourinho the right man to lead them back to the top, but conceded the players must produce on a more consistent basis if they are to have any hope of toppling City next season.
“We’ve got a great manager,” said De Gea. “He’s very experienced, he’s won everything there is to win in the game.
“What he's really good at is transmitting his winning mentality to the group.
“However, at the end of the day, it’s down to ourselves – the players on the field.
“It's us who make the saves, create the chances and score the goals.
“So, as a group, we’ve got to get that level of consistency and quality throughout the season.”
(Image: Shaun Botterill)
With four games to go, De Gea's nearest challenger for the Golden Glove award is City's Ederson, who has kept 15 clean sheets in the league this season.
De Gea has maintained his high standard between the posts for United and is aiming to end the season on a high, by securing second place in the league and winning the FA Cup, before heading to Russia for the World Cup with Spain.
“I’m pretty pleased with my performance,” said De Gea. “It’s been a fairly complete, all round set of performances from me.
“I’ve felt good, felt fit and in good form physically throughout the season.
(Image: PA)
“Let’s hope that these last few games to go before the end of the season continue the form, then leading into the World Cup, which is an important time for Spain.”
Former United skipper Gary Neville believes his old club cannot view this season as a great one, but claimed the progression from last year, when they finished sixth, means they can look back on the campaign with satisfaction they are moving forward.
"For United, is it a great season? No," said Neville. "But it's a good season because the momentum is still going as they have the opportunity to win the FA Cup and finish second, which would be progression.
"The importance of getting another medal round the necks of the players should not be underestimated in terms of keeping building and challenging City next season."