When David de Gea put pen to paper on a new Manchester United contract back in September, it was supposed to be the moment that restored him to his former glories.
With all the whispers and speculation about where his long-term allegiance lies now buried under a four-year deal, he could finally get his head down and put a difficult 2018/19 campaign behind him.
BREAKING: David De Gea has signed a new long-term contract at Manchester United
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 16, 2019
Spanish Dave was back at his best, and here to stay.
Following on from some highly unconvincing goalkeeping in the build-up to Everton's opening goal in his last league outing, the Spaniard was tasked with a routine catch early in the second half at Vicarage Road. Against all odds, he somehow allowed it to slip through his fingers, ricochet off the post, and cross the line.
It was a costly mistake - his sixth directly leading to a goal since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League player in that time.
He's kept just three clean sheets all season despite a wealth of investment in the defence in front of him since the summer. While that isn't necessarily a reflection of his performances, it certainly serves as supplementary evidence that his influence is waning.
In truth, the weaknesses in his game have always been present and evident to anyone with a watchful eye. His positioning has never been the best for a keeper of world class standing, nor has his commanding of the area, but his previously unrivalled ability to get across and make saves that others in his guild could not dream of has generally been his saving grace.
The crown jewel in his game, though, is beginning to show its face with decreasing frequency - while the frailties are being exposed more and more.
He still has games where he saves his side's blushes, of course. The 3-3 draw at Sheffield United could have been far worse for the Red Devils had it not been for a string of top-class stops and, generally, solid goalkeeping.
Yet when you assess his save rate over the last season-and-a-half against the amount of goals he has shipped, it doesn't exactly make for good reading.
.@GNev2's reaction to David de Gea's blunder pic.twitter.com/sRoZMhBqyG
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) December 22, 2019
Sizing his form up against his performances in 2017/18, when United's defence was the best in the land outside of Manchester City's, his rate of saves per game has dropped slightly - 3.1 over the course of 2017/18 and 3.0 since.
That may not sound like the most damning statistic on the face of it, but when you consider United have conceded goals at almost twice the rate since - 28 in 38 vs. 76 in 56 - you would expect his save ratio to reflect that.
If we're using goals conceded as a very rough barometer for shots faced, then the stats actually paint De Gea as a fairly average Premier League goalkeeper. Of the regular number ones in the division this season who have conceded at comparable rates, Bernd Leno, Martin Dubravka and Mat Ryan have superior save ratios since August.
David Martin, the 33 year old third choice West Ham keeper who made his PL debut 23 days ago, has the same number of clean sheets as David de Gea this season
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) December 22, 2019
That is by no means a good look for the highest-paid goalkeeper in the world.
You'd be dramatic to say United will, at this stage, be second-guessing their decision to tie him down long-term. He's had a rough 18 months, but he's still a good shot-stopper, a valuable asset, and an immensely popular figure around the club.
But whatever's going on - whether he is unhappy, unsettled or just lacking in confidence - is clearly having a profound negative impact on his performances.
David De Gea was lone man standing at the back for several years.
— Man Utd Channel (@ManUtdChannel) December 23, 2019
Every player has ups and downs. It is time we show him the love and support he deserves. pic.twitter.com/sX61PhcvB2
Some will argue the stats don't tell the whole story and that does hold truth. But there is no denying that his basic performance levels have plummeted - the fact that he is no longer Spain's number one is testament to that - and his status as one of the best in the world will be eradicated completely if his 2020 follows the trend of his 2019.
Whatever is at the root of the issue, it needs snuffed out, and fast. Once the undisputed best in the world, now he'd do well to rank within the best ten, and he is running out of credit in the bank.
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Source : 90min