Kasper Schmeichel launches defence of under fire Man United counterpart De Gea
Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has launched an impassioned defence of David de Gea following criticism of his Manchester United counterpart's form.
The Spaniard made one particularly high-profile error in United's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea last weekend by allowing Mason Mount's hopeful shot to make its way past him, and was also slightly criticised for not managing to keep out Olivier Giroud's opener.
Moreover, incidents such as Steven Bergwijn's goal for Tottenham in United's first game back following the restart, have raised doubts about the 29-year-old's long-term future at Old Trafford.
De Gea could also face pressure for the No 1 shirt next season with the future of Dean Henderson - currently on loan at Sheffield United - yet to be decided.
But ahead of the Foxes' decisive clash with United on the final day of the season - which will determine which of the two sides qualifies for next season's Champions League - Schmeichel has come to the staunch defence of his fellow shot stopper.
The Dane told Sky Sports: 'It can be very difficult and you've got to remember, and this is with absolutely no disrespect to journalists or pundits, but you've actually never stood in that goal.
'You hear comments like, 'going with the wrong hand', or other throw away things that they'll say which will make the consumer or viewer think, 'oh yeah, that's right, I see he's done it again'.
'That's sometimes quite a dangerous narrative because all of a sudden it starts building momentum and for someone like David, I really feel for him because he has been unbelievable for so many years and every goalkeeper goes through periods [of poor form].
'David de Gea is still a world-class goalkeeper. It's a lonely position and those are the margins you play in as a goalkeeper - you simply cannot make mistakes because you will be punished.'
Schmeichel also insisted he has different fears for Henderson, citing the pressure young English goalkeepers come under, but the Dane hopes he will be given a couple more years to develop at Bramall Lane before returning to United.
'There is a lot of pressure also in the sense that you now have an England goalkeeper coming through and, like it or not, in this country when you have an English goalkeeper, that means so much and they really do tend to build them up,' Schmeichel continued.
'I genuinely hope for someone like Dean Henderson, who's had an amazing season, that he can be allowed to develop. I hope for him, he gets another season, maybe two at Sheffield United and play the way he's done and then he'll be ready.'
The Spaniard made one particularly high-profile error in United's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea last weekend by allowing Mason Mount's hopeful shot to make its way past him, and was also slightly criticised for not managing to keep out Olivier Giroud's opener.
Moreover, incidents such as Steven Bergwijn's goal for Tottenham in United's first game back following the restart, have raised doubts about the 29-year-old's long-term future at Old Trafford.
De Gea could also face pressure for the No 1 shirt next season with the future of Dean Henderson - currently on loan at Sheffield United - yet to be decided.
But ahead of the Foxes' decisive clash with United on the final day of the season - which will determine which of the two sides qualifies for next season's Champions League - Schmeichel has come to the staunch defence of his fellow shot stopper.
The Dane told Sky Sports: 'It can be very difficult and you've got to remember, and this is with absolutely no disrespect to journalists or pundits, but you've actually never stood in that goal.
'You hear comments like, 'going with the wrong hand', or other throw away things that they'll say which will make the consumer or viewer think, 'oh yeah, that's right, I see he's done it again'.
'That's sometimes quite a dangerous narrative because all of a sudden it starts building momentum and for someone like David, I really feel for him because he has been unbelievable for so many years and every goalkeeper goes through periods [of poor form].
'David de Gea is still a world-class goalkeeper. It's a lonely position and those are the margins you play in as a goalkeeper - you simply cannot make mistakes because you will be punished.'
Schmeichel also insisted he has different fears for Henderson, citing the pressure young English goalkeepers come under, but the Dane hopes he will be given a couple more years to develop at Bramall Lane before returning to United.
'There is a lot of pressure also in the sense that you now have an England goalkeeper coming through and, like it or not, in this country when you have an English goalkeeper, that means so much and they really do tend to build them up,' Schmeichel continued.
'I genuinely hope for someone like Dean Henderson, who's had an amazing season, that he can be allowed to develop. I hope for him, he gets another season, maybe two at Sheffield United and play the way he's done and then he'll be ready.'
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