Erik ten Hag defends 'magnificent' David de Gea after Spain World Cup snub

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag paid tribute to David de Gea after he put the disappointment of missing out on Spain's provisional World Cup squad behind him with a terrific performance in the 1-0 win over West Ham United.

De Gea was in superb form against the Hammers, making sprawling late saves to deny Kurt Zouma and Declan Rice as United clung on for a vital three points at Old Trafford.

The 31-year-old had made a couple of mistakes earlier in the season, most notably against Brentford in a shock 4-0 defeat for United, and was again left out of Spain's squad for the September international break.

It was then confirmed that De Gea, who had not been called up by his country since November 2021, had failed to make Luis Enrique's provisional 55-player squad for this winter's World Cup, with five other goalkeepers selected ahead of him.

But after his latest display of superb shot stopping, Ten Hag moved to defend his number one goalkeeper, hailing him as a '"magnificent" shot stopper who he feels can develop his passing game - one area that critics feel has cost De Gea his spot in Spain's World Cup party.

"Everyone has his own opinion and his own philosophy," Ten Hag said. "For me, the first from a goalkeeper is you have to protect the goal, so make sure you don't concede goals and in that fact he is magnificent.

"And on the feet, for me, he has the capabilities as well. This season, he is progressing from game to game in that part. It has to do not only with the keeper but it has to do with the one in front: how do you give the keeper options to bring passes in. Because when they don't bring freedom or they are in the wrong positions, he doesn't have the options to pass around.

"But I am convinced he can do it and I think the games so far prove that. I think he will improve from game to game in that part."