West Ham United forward Michail Antonio was full of praise for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea. The Hammers were at Old Trafford last weekend in a league game and a Marcus Rashford goal in the first half proved to be decisive for the Reds. However, the stand-out performances came from the defensive contingent, especially David de Gea.

The Spanish goalkeeper denied Antonio and Declan Rice towards the dying moments of the game with a couple of sensational saves. De Gea was called into action regularly in the last 20 minutes but did not get fazed by the West Ham attackers. 

Antonio did not start against Manchester United but came off the bench around the hour mark to replace their new signing Gianluca Scamacca. Antonio has curbed any opportunity to move freely by the United defense, and in the one golden chance he had to shoot from distance, the Spaniard came to United’s rescue. 

“De Gea, argh. It’s so frustrating. Some of the saves he’s been putting up are unbelievable. He’s done that to us for the last three years we’ve gone up there. We have had so many chances and he’s just decided to turn up for our games. He was unbelievable,” he told the Footballer’s Football Podcast. 

He went on to compliment the Manchester United center-backs for the day – Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, for being defensively solid. Maguire started for the first time since United lost 4-0 to Brentford earlier this season and produced a stellar performance in the company of the Argentine Martinez, who seems to be a sure-shot starter no matter which competition.

“They played well defensively. [Lisandro] Martinez was quality, he was a rock, Harry Maguire came in and did well – with all the comments – but he was solid,” Antonio added.

David Moyes’ men will host Crystal Palace over the coming weekend to regain their place in the top half of the table. Manchester United will be heading to London for a clash against Aston Villa, where Unai Emery will be taking charge for the first time since completing his move from Villarreal to the Premier League club.