Former United goalkeeper Jimmy Rimmer provides reaction to Saturday’s result and gives his verdict on David De Gea’s performance.
Speaking after the weekend’s game against Watford, Jimmy thinks that winning at Vicarage Road is a big achievement especially with the number of injuries in the squad: “We’re not playing as good as we can but we’re winning the games and that’s what it’s all about. Obviously injuries and illness don’t help so it was a hell of a result.
“Defensively they’re doing very well and when everyone is fit I think we’ll really see what they can do as Manchester United.”
Jimmy made 46 appearances in goal for United between 1968 and 1973 and was impressed by David De Gea’s performance on Saturday as the Spaniard once again pulled off some important saves: “That’s what he’s there for and it’s why they rate him so highly. I saw on Saturday that Bruce Grobbelaar had said he’ll be the best in the world within two years and I think he will be. At the moment I think he’s one of the best but to be the best is a totally different thing.
“The save he made where it came through the players and deflected off Smalling but he got down and clawed it round the post was fantastic. He’s been doing that all the time and everyone expects him to do it, I hate to say it but people will probably wait till he makes a mistake to have a go at him because he doesn’t make many.
“That’s what happens to goalkeepers who are at the top of their form, I had it in my career, you’d play brilliantly and then make a mistake and people would have a go but its human nature.”
Since De Gea’s summer transfer to Real Madrid fell through many have questioned whether he would be able to fully focus on playing for United but Jimmy dismisses these claims: “He’s got to be focused, he’s playing for Manchester United who’ve been up there for decades as one of the top clubs in the world and he just gets on with the job. I think in another year or two he’ll be the number one goalkeeper in the world.”
