De Gea’s flying save vs Chelsea wins Legendary Saves

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is a huge part of the club’s success – a quality recognized by players, coaches and fans a like. His flying, late-match save against Chelsea in 2012 preserved the 3-3 scoreline his teammates had dramatically secured and arguably marked the turning point in the season.

Often heralded as the difference between United winning the game and not, David de Gea is considered one of the best goalkeepers in the world. When the Reds reclaimed the Barclays Premier League title in 2012/13, he was a standout figure throughout the season, earning a place in the prestigious PFA Team of the Year whilst finishing third in the fans' voting for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award.

Now fans have bestowed the Spaniard with another honor: DHL’s #LegendarySave.

Watch the video here to relive de Gea’s Legendary Save, hear what David himself makes of it and hear United players and staff retell the story.

A seminal moment
Although de Gea has wowed fans with so many saves, most fans remember this moment. In the first minute of injury time, Chelsea was awarded a free kick when Paul Scholes obstructed David Luiz 25 yards from the goal. Juan Mata, who was having a fantastic game, hit a powerful, arching kick perfectly at the top right-hand corner. De Gea, twisting as he flew fully outstretched across the goalmouth, reached with this right hand to deflect the ball past the woodwork. After dramatically driving back from a 3-0 deficit to tie the match, de Gea’s superb save preserved the draw and a point for his team.

When you make a save in the last minute or a penalty, a really big save is a bit more important.

David de Gea

Many look back on de Gea’s save as a pivotal moment for United, who followed the game with an eight-match winning streak that sent them to the top of the table, not to mention for de Gea who had six clean sheets in seven games afterward. 

“When you look back over a season there are lots of defining moments and key goals,” he said. “But, I suppose, from a team point of view, and particularly from a personal point of view, the fact the save was right in the last minute was decisive. It gave me a huge confidence boost as well and that was important.”

The “calm and serene” one
Former Reds keeper Gary Bailey, who made 375 appearances from 1978 to 1987, is really impressed with de Gea. “This is not luck, this is a really, really fantastic goalkeeper,” he says. “He’s able to read situations, he saves with his feet, he saves one-on-one, he’s got the agility, and through it all he just remains calm and serene.

“He’s got an incredible temperament, even when the team is under pressure – where normally keepers are screaming and shouting – he keeps cool, he keeps calm. He makes saves that either allow the team to stay in the match or come back and win it.”

De Gea’s Legendary Save was chosen by fans on Twitter as part of DHL’s #LegendaryMoments series. Be sure to follow @DHLManUtd to share your Legendary Moments throughout the season.

Relive the moments
In football as in life, the devil is truly in the detail. Like last season, we want to relive some of the great details – the #LegendaryMoments – in Manchester United history. Throughout the season that we will be looking back at some of the Red Devils Legendary Moments. We’ll dive into the great goals, assists, saves, tackles, dribbles and free kicks that have wowed Reds fans over the decades.

Next up is Tackles. But with so many great ones to choose from, we want to hear what the players, club legends and fans think is the greatest. Follow @DHLManUtd and tweet us your #LegendaryTackles.

Visit www.dhlmanutd.com to play BATTLESTATS and share your Legendary Moment.