Man Utd boss Solskjaer backs De Gea for another decade at the top and big trophies

Manchester, July 13: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer never considered dropping David de Gea as the Manchester United manager backed the long-serving goalkeeper for another decade at the highest level in his quest for "big trophies" at Old Trafford.

De Gea surpassed Peter Schmeichel to become the overseas player with the most United appearances after playing his 399th match in Thursday's 3-0 Premier League win at relegation-threatened Aston Villa.

Despite the landmark moment, De Gea's future has been debated due to a number of mistakes and the form of Sheffield United loanee Dean Henderson this season.

But United manager Solskjaer was full of praise for De Gea, who has won the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup among other honours since arriving from Atletico Madrid in 2011.

De Gea surpasses Schmeichel to break Manchester United record

"It did not cross my mind for one second," said Solskjaer when asked if he had considered dropping De Gea ahead of Monday's showdown with Southampton. "Not at all. To be a Man Utd goalkeeper you have to have a strong mentality. David has a strong mentality and he has been here for so long that he is coming up to 400 games, and you don't do that by being afraid of the limelight or being afraid of Old Trafford.

"You do that by walking out on to that pitch and showing them your quality and mentality and he is a strong character and I didn't see any good in taking him out at all, no."

The Reds go marching on 🔴#MUFC #MUNSOU #PL pic.twitter.com/bc65H2sErj

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 12, 2020

Solskjaer, whose United have not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson's final season in 2012-13, added: "David has been fantastic and since I have been here I have enjoyed working with him.

"He has come out and said that he wants to play many, many more, maybe 10 more years, how long will he be able to stay at the top is just up to him because it's a pleasure to watch him being humble enough to work hard."

"He's won the Premier League, he's won the FA Cup, the Europa League, the League Cup, but that is probably not enough for him," continued Solskjaer. "I don't think he will be happy until he wins the bigger trophies, and staying at Man United in this time and they are not having one more, I think that's something that he will feel is a black dot in his career.

De Gea has been best in the world for a decade, says Solskjaer

"Yeah, he's won his personal awards, I don't think David is that type who cares about personal awards, I think he wants the team to lift big trophies as well."

United are in the midst of a 17-match unbeaten streak across all competitions as they look to capitalise on a favourable weekend of results in the Premier League in the race for Champions League qualification.

Chelsea and Leicester City both lost, meaning in-form United can move third in the table with three games remaining if they beat Southampton at Old Trafford.