The pressure continued to mount on Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal, but this time around the blame was shared with fan-favorite David De Gea, as the Spaniard’s 82nd-minute own goal handed Sunderland a home win over the Red Devils for the 1st time in the Premier League.
FT: De Gea own-goal hands @SunderlandAFC the win. #SUNMUN
— LiveSoccerTV.com (@LiveSoccerTV) February 13, 2016
Download the LiveSoccerTV app: https://t.co/Atom7JtRrU pic.twitter.com/QHLmMepU2V
UPDATE It's a De Gea own goal, as Anthony Martial's attempted clearance ricochets off the 'keeper's back and goes in. Still 2-1 (88 mins)
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 13, 2016
1 - Sunderland have beaten Manchester United in the league at the Stadium of Light for the first time ever (W1 D4 L9). Bright.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 13, 2016
The defeat, the 20-time English Premier League champions’ 7th this season, leaves them with only 41 points after 26 games, a new low for the club since the top-flight’s inception.
Man United kicked off Saturday’s early kick-off on the wrong foot, as the conceded an opener after only three minutes of play at The Stadium of Light. However, summer signing Anthony Martial scored the equalizer in the 39th minute.
All went south for Van Gaal’s boys late in the second-half, as an attempted clearance of Kone’s header from goalscorer Anthony Martial ricocheted of De Gea and bounced into the back off the net, 8 minutes before the final whistle.
It was a very unfortunate incident for the Spaniard, as he had been performing quite exceptionally, yet went from hero to zero in the eyes of Twitter. Check out the best tweets.
Twitter was full of praise for De Gea
De Gea... What a keeper! First class
— Andrew Cole (@vancole9) February 13, 2016
Top drawer save @D_DeGea !
— AS English (@English_AS) February 13, 2016
72' - Lamine Kone cuts inside and shoots but @D_DeGea is there again to tip it over brilliantly. #mufc #DaveSaves
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 13, 2016
De Gea. Top keeper. Best in the world.
— We Can Do It. #AFC (@_The12thMan) February 13, 2016
Until he scored the own goal, that is...
De Gea is a good keeper, but that's where it ends, good, he's the most over-rated player in the world.
— We Can Do It. #AFC (@_The12thMan) February 13, 2016
OWN GOAL BY DE GEA im dead bye
— a.m. (@brokenvertebra) February 13, 2016
de Gea own goal lol
— edwin (@eglc_) February 13, 2016
De Gea own goal lol has ever Mignolet ever done that?
— Ryan (@iRyanSinghx) February 13, 2016
Update: Through no fault of his own, the goal has been given as a David De Gea own goal. #mulive
— utdreport.com (@utdreport) February 13, 2016
After the game, both Van Gaal and Rooney admitted that it will be tough for the Old Trafford side to secure a spot in the Champions League next season, with the Dutchman claiming that winning the Europe League is there only hope.
Louis van Gaal says our best chance of qualifying for the Champions League is winning the Europa League. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/RlY9HCmOQR
— Man Utd Universe (@ManUtdUniverse) February 13, 2016
Wayne Rooney: "It will be difficult to get into the top four now, we have to somehow move on" #SUNMUN pic.twitter.com/PGiQHSWXCj
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 13, 2016
Van Gaal admitting he can't do anymore. We're struggling and he's admitted he can't do anymore.
— #MUFC (@MUFC_OB) February 13, 2016
Has to go...
Some Chinese club should take Van Gaal.
— Devils Of Manchester (@XladeOrain) February 13, 2016
Louis van Gaal trying to achieve something this season pic.twitter.com/zWzbfbwfrd
— Sunday League FC (@SundayLeagueFC) February 13, 2016
Man Utd after 26 games
— 8 Fact Football (@8Fact_Footballl) February 13, 2016
Under Moyes 2013-2014: 12W/6D/8L --> 42 pts
Under van Gaal 2015-2016: 11W/8D/7L --> 41 pts pic.twitter.com/3gbiYOTJaq