Man Utd legend lauds De Gea after semi-final win as Alan Shearer hails ‘fantastic’ Ten Hag

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel believes his former club would not have reached the FA Cup Final if it was not for the form of David de Gea.

The Red Devils stopper went into Sunday’s semi-final meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion looking to shake off the errors he made in Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final exit at the hands of La Liga club Sevilla.

The Spanish international was at his best as he produced a number of stunning saves to kept the Seagulls at bay and ensured the tie ventured into a penalty shoot-out after a goalless 120 minutes. Despite not saving any of Albion’s spot-kicks, a miss from Solly March allowed Victor Lindelof to step up and fire United into an all-Manchester final as they now prepare to face Pep Guardiola’s City on the first Saturday of June.

Speaking after the semi-final, former United keeper Schmeichel said told BBC Sport: “I think that is a sign of a really good goalkeeper. You can not play as long as a goalkeeper without making mistakes and unfortunately for him a few came in the same game.

“That put the spotlight on him for this game here today but he’s come out and played a really good game. I think without David De Gea in goal, Brighton would have won this game comfortably.”

The win over Brighton also means Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag has reached a second cup final during his first season at Old Trafford and will have the chance to secure a domestic cup double when his side face their bitter rivals. Former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer was sat alongside Schmeichel as part of the BBC’s punditry team and he praised the former Ajax manager for doing ‘a fantastic job’ since his appointment last summer.

“They are going in the right direction. Peter said it before the game, the manager has made some big decisions this season. They’ve worked, they got one (trophy), they’re in the final of another, they look good for the top four. He’s doing a fantastic job isn’t he?”