Sky Sports Pundit Claims David De Gea Will Continue to Make Mistakes

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp believes Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea still has some way to go before he silences his numerous critics even though he acknowledges the youngster's 'better' showing at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

De Gea pulled off a remarkable save in stoppage time to deny the hugely impressive Juan Mata, yet Redknapp believes Manchester United's summer signing, who was brought to Old Trafford as the heir apparent to the retired Edwin Van der Sar, will have to "earn his praise".

The precocious young Spaniard has long been tipped as the natural successor to the hugely vaunted Iker Casillas for the Spanish national side, yet the 21-year-old has endured a chastening introduction to English football. A catalogue of errors has been interspersed with a number of notable performances for Manchester United, and Redknapp believes the inconsistencies experienced by De Gea is indicative of his inexperience.

"David de Gea has a lot to learn and a long, long way to go." Redknapp told the Daily Mail when discussing the heavily scrutinised Manchester United number one.

"He is destined to make more mistakes and inspires little confidence when coming for a cross.

"But this was a better performance from the young Manchester United goalkeeper and he made a sensational save at the end from Juan Mata to help his side to a point they richly deserved.

"He has had to earn his praise."

Although some seasoned observers have been quick to lambast the evidently talented Manchester United goalkeeper, his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, claims the Spaniard represents the future of the club for the next decade.

"We know his potential, we know he's an outstanding talent and we've got to trust that," Ferguson is quoted on Sky Sports.

"We bought him on the premise that he could be our goalkeeper for 10 years and he showed that today.

"He dealt much better with all the aerial balls that came in. It's experience. He's not used to the English game; he's had some bad moments this year in terms of dealing with that type of play.

"But today, I think he's got the bit between his teeth and he's done well."