Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gets tough over David De Gea in West Ham press conference

Manchester United star David De Gea is under pressure ahead of Wednesday's Premier League clash with West Ham at Old Trafford.

Posted Wednesday, July 22, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has refused to criticise David De Gea. The Spain international has struggled this season and, on Sunday, endured a horrific afternoon as Chelsea beat the Red Devils 3-1 in their FA Cup semi-final clash. But he could get the nod for Wednesday night's crunch showdown with West Ham at Old Trafford.

De Gea was woeful for United against Chelsea on Sunday as the Red Devils saw their hopes of FA Cup glory ended on a nightmare afternoon at Wembley.

The Spain international has made a series of costly errors throughout the course of the campaign, leading to criticism from fans and pundits across the world.

But Solskjaer has refused to lay into the 29-year-old and, speaking before Wednesday's showdown with West Ham, said: "This is not going to become a David De Gea press conference, we’re just gonna stick together.

"David’s mentally strong enough to know his job is to perform in training the next day and be ready for the games."

On if he has a big decision to make, with Sergio Romero waiting in the wings, he added: "That’s your job to talk about and write about and my job is to prepare a team for West Ham.

Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gets tough over David De Gea in West Ham press conference
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has defended David De Gea ahead of West Ham clash (Image: GETTY)

"We’re not gonna talk about individuals because no one here will feel we put more pressure on them.”

For United, the defeat against Chelsea was their first since their 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in January.

And Solskjaer wants a strong response from his side, saying: “When you lose a game you’re hurt, disappointed, focus on the next thing.

"Defeat is not the end of the world, it was end of FA Cup dream and final but business as usual and onto the next game.

Man Utd's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer gets tough over David De Gea in West Ham press conference
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants response after Chelsea FA Cup defeat (Image: GETTY)

"We’ve had so many setbacks as a club, lost games before and now we have to put on a performance.”

He also admitted Champions League qualification was vital for the club.

"Always you want to be a part of the best tournaments and teams," he said.

"But then again Man United is attractive enough.

"I think everyone can see now we’re on a journey towards something better - I think so, anyway.

"It’s in our own hands, don’t wanna talk about how much it’ll mean financially to attract people, we have just gotta focus on these next two games and make sure we’re there.”

United lost 2-0 to West Ham when they met earlier in the season.

But they did beat the Hammers when they face at Old Trafford last term.