When is enough enough?
Manchester United's best chance at a trophy this season has been ended after an abject 3-1 loss to Chelsea, bowing out of the FA Cup with a whimper.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's entered today's game as prohibitive favourites for not only the semi-final, but the competition as whole after Manchester City were eliminated yesterday. Their form over the past few weeks has been very impressive, but there was little sign of that this evening.
Some of that may have been down to personnel changes, with the likes of Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial, and Mason Greenwood all left out of the starting lineup.
While United were poor all over the pitch, one moment will stand out for those who watched the game.
David de Gea produced yet another howler, failing to stop a fairly tame Mason Mount shot from reaching the bottom corner.
Low & hard from Mason Mount! 👊#EmiratesFACup #MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/8DZE2TnmWB
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 19, 2020
He didn't exactly cover himself in glory for the third goal either, leaving far too much space at his near post.
One, two, three for @ChelseaFC! 🤩#EmiratesFACup #MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/6jr3yiLACC
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 19, 2020
This is becoming far too common of an occurrence. Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world for a time, de Gea is now a liability.
What may have been classified as a dip in form is now something much more. Very few players can have two very poor consecutive seasons and then go on to rediscover their previous form. It just doesn't happen.
If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is serious about competing at the top level, he must be ruthless now. If Manchester United can replicate their recent form over the course of a full season, they may not be too far away from challenging Liverpool and Manchester City.
Their front three is incredibly dangerous, while the addition of Bruno Fernandes has given them a top class creative midfielder. If Paul Pogba is on form, and they make one or two additions in defence, they would boast a very well-rounded squad.
But then you have the goalkeeper. David de Gea isn't good enough anymore. That may seem strange to say about someone of his relatively young age, but it's a fact.
You can't consistently compete for top honours without a reliable presence in between the sticks, something top managers know.
Pep Guardiola dispensed of Claudio Bravo after one season, bringing in Ederson. The results were immediate, as they were when Jurgen Klopp replaced Loris Karius with Alisson Becker. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must now follow their lead.
David de Gea can't keep living on past glories. The once 'uncharacteristic' mistakes have now become very much the opposite. They have been too frequent and too costly.
It's ironic. For many years de Gea was the only reliable player in the Manchester United team. Now, he is one of the only ones failing to perform on a consistent basis.
Luckily, they have a replacement in waiting. Dean Henderson has proven to be one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, performing well at a level well above that of the Spaniard while on loan at Sheffield United.
He should be given the chance to become the number one at his parent club.
There is no room for sentiment at this level. If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is to return Manchester United to former glories, he needs to learn that lesson very soon.
