• Manchester United's David de Gea has made a string of high profile errors in the past two seasons having previously been regarded as one of, if not the best keeper in the world. His most recent clangers came in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Nothing seems to be sticking to his gloves these days. Reuters
    Manchester United's David de Gea has made a string of high profile errors in the past two seasons having previously been regarded as one of, if not the best keeper in the world. His most recent clangers came in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea. Nothing seems to be sticking to his gloves these days. Reuters
  • Joe Hart is the most obvious example in recent years of a keeper whose career has suddenly faltered. From England and Manchester City No 1 to being unable to get a game and subsequently released at Burnley. Quite why it has happened is somewhat of a mystery. He was England's best keeper since David Seaman, but like de Gea the errors became more frequent. Getty Images
    Joe Hart is the most obvious example in recent years of a keeper whose career has suddenly faltered. From England and Manchester City No 1 to being unable to get a game and subsequently released at Burnley. Quite why it has happened is somewhat of a mystery. He was England's best keeper since David Seaman, but like de Gea the errors became more frequent. Getty Images
  • Victor Valdes' trophy cabinet was brimming after more than 500 appearances for Barcelona. Then came two games in two years at Manchester United and a forgettable season at Middlesbrough and he quietly slipped away. AFP
    Victor Valdes' trophy cabinet was brimming after more than 500 appearances for Barcelona. Then came two games in two years at Manchester United and a forgettable season at Middlesbrough and he quietly slipped away. AFP
  • Loris Karius was never regarded as one of Liverpool's greatest keepers before the 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. And his two huge errors in that final mean he won't get another chance. He was shipped out on loan to Besiktas in Turkey and his reputation remains largely in tatters. Quite a fall for Liverpool's former No 1. Getty Images
    Loris Karius was never regarded as one of Liverpool's greatest keepers before the 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid. And his two huge errors in that final mean he won't get another chance. He was shipped out on loan to Besiktas in Turkey and his reputation remains largely in tatters. Quite a fall for Liverpool's former No 1. Getty Images
  • Roberto Jimenez played for a host of clubs in Spain before a move to Premier League West Ham in 2019 where he was used as back-up to Lukasz Fabianski. When he finally had a chance it all went wrong with goals flying in from all angles - many of them his fault. He moved back to Spain - on loan to Alaves and subsequently conceded six against Celta Vigo. A career heading in the wrong direction. Getty Images
    Roberto Jimenez played for a host of clubs in Spain before a move to Premier League West Ham in 2019 where he was used as back-up to Lukasz Fabianski. When he finally had a chance it all went wrong with goals flying in from all angles - many of them his fault. He moved back to Spain - on loan to Alaves and subsequently conceded six against Celta Vigo. A career heading in the wrong direction. Getty Images
  • Mark Bosnich was signed by Manchester United as a successor to all-conquering keeper Peter Schmeichel in 1999 after impressing at Aston Villa. His professionalism was questioned by manager Alex Ferguson, while pundits lamented his poor kicking. He lasted just 23 matches and managed only a further 17 elsewhere as his career quickly fizzled out. Allsport / Getty Images
    Mark Bosnich was signed by Manchester United as a successor to all-conquering keeper Peter Schmeichel in 1999 after impressing at Aston Villa. His professionalism was questioned by manager Alex Ferguson, while pundits lamented his poor kicking. He lasted just 23 matches and managed only a further 17 elsewhere as his career quickly fizzled out. Allsport / Getty Images
  • Stoke City's Jack Butland was the great hope of English football as far as goalkeepers were concerned as he was linked with a host of top clubs and made his international debut. Fast forward a few years and he's struggling near the bottom of the second tier and has come in for plenty of criticism. Action Images via Reuters
    Stoke City's Jack Butland was the great hope of English football as far as goalkeepers were concerned as he was linked with a host of top clubs and made his international debut. Fast forward a few years and he's struggling near the bottom of the second tier and has come in for plenty of criticism. Action Images via Reuters
  • Richard Wright, left, appeared to have a huge career ahead of him. Having finished fifth in the Premier League with Ipswich Town in 2001 he was pushing to become England's No 1. A move to Arsenal to replace David Seaman was a disaster, a spell at Everton wasn't much better, and he only played more than 15 league matches in a season once in the final 13 seasons of his career. Sammy Dallal / The National
    Richard Wright, left, appeared to have a huge career ahead of him. Having finished fifth in the Premier League with Ipswich Town in 2001 he was pushing to become England's No 1. A move to Arsenal to replace David Seaman was a disaster, a spell at Everton wasn't much better, and he only played more than 15 league matches in a season once in the final 13 seasons of his career. Sammy Dallal / The National
  • Scott Carson was a blossoming young keeper whose career peaked with England caps. A high-profile error against Croatia in 2007 marked the start of the decline, and while he enjoyed a couple more seasons in the Premier League and in Turkey, he then spent the rest of time in the second tier in England bar a loan move to Man City. Promised much, but didn't quite deliver. AP
    Scott Carson was a blossoming young keeper whose career peaked with England caps. A high-profile error against Croatia in 2007 marked the start of the decline, and while he enjoyed a couple more seasons in the Premier League and in Turkey, he then spent the rest of time in the second tier in England bar a loan move to Man City. Promised much, but didn't quite deliver. AP

Football

David de Gea, Joe Hart and goalkeepers whose careers went downhill fast

The Manchester United No 1 messed up - again - against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final

Ian Oxborrow
Ian Oxborrow

July 20, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

David de Gea looking forlornly at the ground after a fumble resulted in a goal has become a familiar sight.

The Manchester United goalkeeper was at fault for two of Chelsea's goals in his side's 3-1 defeat in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Sunday.

And the calls are growing louder for the Spaniard to be moved on.

Just two years ago he was regarded as one of the world's best, a master in his penalty box with incredible reflexes and the ability to pull off remarkable saves with both hands and feet.

Fast forward and he has become a liability, with soft goals slipping through his hands with regularity and questionable positioning leaving United's defence exposed.

He may not be finished just yet - he''s only 29 after all. But the decline has been fast, and United's patience is surely wearing thin.

Before de Gea there's been plenty of other keepers who slipped from being on top of their game to obscurity. Check out the slideshow at the top of the page.

_____________

Andy Mitten's United v Chelsea player ratings

  • David De Gea. 3. Howler of an error for Mount’s goal. Good save from Giroud – after conceding a sloppy one from Frenchman. PA
    David De Gea. 3. Howler of an error for Mount’s goal. Good save from Giroud – after conceding a sloppy one from Frenchman. PA
  • Aaron Wan Bissaka 5. One of many who struggled in United’s changed system. Taken off. Reuters
    Aaron Wan Bissaka 5. One of many who struggled in United’s changed system. Taken off. Reuters
  • Brandon Williams 4. Sloppy. Howler for Mount’s goal. Supposed to support attacks. Didn't. PA
    Brandon Williams 4. Sloppy. Howler for Mount’s goal. Supposed to support attacks. Didn't. PA
  • Harry Maguire 4. Puts his head where it hurts and had the bandage to show for it. Did that unbalance him? Scored an own goal. Reuters
    Harry Maguire 4. Puts his head where it hurts and had the bandage to show for it. Did that unbalance him? Scored an own goal. Reuters
  • Victor Lindelof 5. Poor for Giroud’s opener. Needs to do more to convince that he’s going to be a long term centre half. EPA
    Victor Lindelof 5. Poor for Giroud’s opener. Needs to do more to convince that he’s going to be a long term centre half. EPA
  • Eric Bailly 5. A sad sight watching him stretchered away after a passive first half from United. Unlucky. AP Photo
    Eric Bailly 5. A sad sight watching him stretchered away after a passive first half from United. Unlucky. AP Photo
  • Fred. 4. As ineffective as the whole team. Won’t be happy with that. Like every fan then. EPA
    Fred. 4. As ineffective as the whole team. Won’t be happy with that. Like every fan then. EPA
  • Nemanja Matic 5. Found it difficult in changed system to match Chelsea up. More success for Chelsea in the FA Cup than he’d had with United. Reuters
    Nemanja Matic 5. Found it difficult in changed system to match Chelsea up. More success for Chelsea in the FA Cup than he’d had with United. Reuters
  • Daniel James 4. If you get a chance you have to take it. Didn’t. Has to prove he’s good enough to play for Manchester United. Reuters
    Daniel James 4. If you get a chance you have to take it. Didn’t. Has to prove he’s good enough to play for Manchester United. Reuters
  • Bruno Fernandes 6. Best of a bad bunch. Always wants the ball. Cool on the penalty. AFP
    Bruno Fernandes 6. Best of a bad bunch. Always wants the ball. Cool on the penalty. AFP
  • Marcus Rashford 5. Poorest game since resumption of football. Limited service to him, but he offered limited movement too. EPA
    Marcus Rashford 5. Poorest game since resumption of football. Limited service to him, but he offered limited movement too. EPA
  • SUBS: Anthony Martial (45+2') 5. One week a 10/10, the next anything but. Failed to affect game. AFP
    SUBS: Anthony Martial (45+2') 5. One week a 10/10, the next anything but. Failed to affect game. AFP
  • Paul Pogba (55') 5. Chasing a game, chasing shadows. AP Photo
    Paul Pogba (55') 5. Chasing a game, chasing shadows. AP Photo
  • Mason Greenwood (56'). Top young player. But not today. EPA
    Mason Greenwood (56'). Top young player. But not today. EPA
  • Timothy Fosu Mensah (79'). Second appearance in three days after three year absence. Reuters
    Timothy Fosu Mensah (79'). Second appearance in three days after three year absence. Reuters
  • Odion Ighalo 6 (79'). Worked hard. Offered something different in limited time. Getty Images
    Odion Ighalo 6 (79'). Worked hard. Offered something different in limited time. Getty Images
  • CHELSEA: Willy Caballero – 7. Few saves to make but was alert to any dangers and quick to come off his line to clear up balls over the top. Had the occasional flap at crosses and couldn’t do anything about the penalty. Getty Images
    CHELSEA: Willy Caballero – 7. Few saves to make but was alert to any dangers and quick to come off his line to clear up balls over the top. Had the occasional flap at crosses and couldn’t do anything about the penalty. Getty Images
  • Cesar Azpilicueta – 8. Lovely low cross to set up Giroud’s opening goal and was untroubled on the right side of the three-man defence. Getty Images
    Cesar Azpilicueta – 8. Lovely low cross to set up Giroud’s opening goal and was untroubled on the right side of the three-man defence. Getty Images
  • Kurt Zouma – 8. The Frenchman can blow hot and cold but at Wembley he was certainly on his game. Reuters
    Kurt Zouma – 8. The Frenchman can blow hot and cold but at Wembley he was certainly on his game. Reuters
  • Antonio Rudiger – 8. A reminder of how good he can be. Solid as a rock at the back (save for one clumsy challenge on the edge of the area). Forced Maguire’s own goal for Chelsea’s third. AFP
    Antonio Rudiger – 8. A reminder of how good he can be. Solid as a rock at the back (save for one clumsy challenge on the edge of the area). Forced Maguire’s own goal for Chelsea’s third. AFP
  • Reece James – 7. Handled his defensive duties well and ran the right channel all game. EPA
    Reece James – 7. Handled his defensive duties well and ran the right channel all game. EPA
  • Marcos Alonso – 8. How can one player be so ordinary at full-back and absolutely superb at wing-back? Introducing Marcos Alonso. AFP
    Marcos Alonso – 8. How can one player be so ordinary at full-back and absolutely superb at wing-back? Introducing Marcos Alonso. AFP
  • Jorginho – 6. Plenty of typically nice, short passes and touches but didn’t impose himself fully on the game. The Italian didn’t need to playing alongside Kovacic. Reuters
    Jorginho – 6. Plenty of typically nice, short passes and touches but didn’t impose himself fully on the game. The Italian didn’t need to playing alongside Kovacic. Reuters
  • Mateo Kovacic – 8. Bossed the midfield. Drove his team up the pitch, always in space for a pass, and ran all day to provide a presence in defence and attack. Getty Images
    Mateo Kovacic – 8. Bossed the midfield. Drove his team up the pitch, always in space for a pass, and ran all day to provide a presence in defence and attack. Getty Images
  • Mason Mount – 7. Doubled Chelsea’s lead right after the break, although the goal owed just as much to a De Gea blunder. Full of high pressing. EPA
    Mason Mount – 7. Doubled Chelsea’s lead right after the break, although the goal owed just as much to a De Gea blunder. Full of high pressing. EPA
  • Willian – 6. Quiet game from the Brazilian on the attacking front but always offered an outlet and tracked back fulfill his defensive duties. PA
    Willian – 6. Quiet game from the Brazilian on the attacking front but always offered an outlet and tracked back fulfill his defensive duties. PA
  • Olivier Giroud – 8. Neat finish to score the opener to continue his fine form since the restart. EPA
    Olivier Giroud – 8. Neat finish to score the opener to continue his fine form since the restart. EPA
  • SUBS: Tammy Abraham (80’) – 5. Had little time or opportunity to impact the match as Chelsea looked to close out the victory. Getty Images
    SUBS: Tammy Abraham (80’) – 5. Had little time or opportunity to impact the match as Chelsea looked to close out the victory. Getty Images
  • Callum Hudson-Odoi (80’) – 5. Produced a nice, jinxing run in injury time, but also conceded the penalty that gave United their consolation goal. Getty Images
    Callum Hudson-Odoi (80’) – 5. Produced a nice, jinxing run in injury time, but also conceded the penalty that gave United their consolation goal. Getty Images
  • Ruben Loftus-Cheek (86’) – N/A. Reuters
    Ruben Loftus-Cheek (86’) – N/A. Reuters
  • Pedro (90+1’) – N/A. EPA
    Pedro (90+1’) – N/A. EPA
Racecard

6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m

8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

The National selections

6.30pm: Chaddad

7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou

7.40pm: Mass Media

8.15pm: Rafal

8.50pm: Yulong Warrior

9.25pm: Chiefdom

Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

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