THE fact Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has to defend David De Gea tells you something is very wrong.

The Manchester United goalkeeper, 29, has come in for huge criticism of late, with many fans believing his time as No1 must be over.

Dean Henderson has been in sublime form for Sheffield United and could return to take over the gloves from blunder-prone De Gea.

Once the Red Devils' perennial Player of the Year, the Spaniard could now be left to rot on the bench, or even sold.

But he's been given more chances than any other goalkeeper in recent Premier League history.

We've taken a look at FIVE times De Gea was given the backing of Solskjaer when perhaps he shouldn't have…

1. JUNE 2020 – Tottenham

IN the first game back from lockdown, De Gea allowed Steven Bergwijn's near post shot through to give Spurs a 27th-minute lead in North London.

Addressing his blunder, Solskjaer gave the Spaniard his full backing by calling him the "best goalkeeper in the world".

He said: “He makes great saves, he wins games for us and I still think he’s the best goalkeeper in the world."

2. MARCH 2020 – Everton

JUST before lockdown came into force, De Gea dawdled on the ball and his delayed clearance hit Everton’s Dominc Calvert-Lewin’s outstretched leg and went in.

Again, his boss protected him in the media, saying: "It's something that happens in football once in a while if you take too long on the ball”

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