De Gea saves Man United
- Category: International Sports
- Published Date
- Written by Reuters
Manchester United were indebted to an outstanding performance from goalkeeper David de Gea as they came away from the Bernabeu with a highly satisfactory Champions League draw against Real Madrid.
Danny Welbeck gave Sir Alex Ferguson’s side an early lead and a crucial away goal from Wayne Rooney’s corner—but former United golden boy Cristiano Ronaldo inevitably responded with a classic header to draw Real level before the interval.
In an enthralling encounter that lived up to Real coach Jose Mourinho’s claim that it was “the match the world wanted to see”, both sides created opportunities to take a crucial lead to Old Trafford for the second leg of this last-16 tie in three weeks’ time.
De Gea brilliantly turned Fabio Coentrao’s shot on to the post early on and, as a tight and tense game entered its closing stages, Robin Van Persie saw his drive pushed on to the bar by Real keeper Diego Lopez and had another attempt scrambled off the line by Xabi Alonso seconds later.
United’s Spanish keeper, returning to his home city after making his name as a youngster with Real’s great rivals Atletico, distinguished himself with a succession of saves and a display that backed up Ferguson’s claim that he is approaching maturity and growing into life at Old Trafford.—Reuters
