Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick compares ‘one of the best’ David De Gea to Manuel Neuer

The Manchester United interim boss has high praise for De Gea - here is what he has to say.
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Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has compared David De Gea to Bayern Munich shot-stopper Manuel Neuer.

The 63-year-old has heaped high praise on United’s no.1, calling the Spaniard ‘the best’ goalkeeper at controlling his box and thinks he and Neuer are currently in the ‘top three’ in that position in the world.

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“Well, I think they are both definitely on the list of the top five goalkeepers in the world," Rangnick told the club’s website. "Maybe even in the top three.

 David De Gea of Manchester United in discusion with Ralf Rangnick Credit: Getty David De Gea of Manchester United in discusion with Ralf Rangnick Credit: Getty
David De Gea of Manchester United in discusion with Ralf Rangnick Credit: Getty

"They are both in a fantastic shape, physically and, as well as on the line, when it’s about controlling the box, David De Gea is probably one of the best, if not the best, in the world and we are very happy to have him.

"But, honestly, as a coach, I would prefer more of those games, for example, against Crystal Palace [a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford], where we don’t need him as much and, in order to achieve that, we just need to make sure we don’t have too many shots on goal.

"We had too many shots on our goal, also in the first half against Wolves, and the same was true at Newcastle or even at Norwich. But again, on the other hand, it’s good to have someone like David in goal - a fantastic professional, a fantastic player and it’s great to work with a player like him.”

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Rangnick worked with Neuer while in charge of Schalke in 2011 and came face-to-face with his current club in the semi-final of the Champions League that year, falling to a 6-1 aggregate defeat to the Red Devils.

De Gea has been one of United’s standout performers for the club this season and was named their Player of the Month in November and December.

Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2011, the 31-year-old has made 465 appearances for the Red Devils, winning seven major trophies.