Young: De Gea Save Spurred United On To Victory

Ashley Young believes several saves from David De Gea boosted Manchester United's pursuit of three points against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

With the score locked at 1-1, the Reds’ goalkeeper thwarted Glenn Murray with a close-range stop before keeping out volleys from the striker and Wilfried Zaha and Marouane Fellaini dealt what proved to be the winning blow.

It was De Gea’s first block, a swift reaction to palm away Murray’s prod, that Young felt was particularly significant. “He’s been making save after save for us and that one today was vitally important,” the wideman told MUTV. “Maybe that spurred us on to get the winning goal. It was fantastic and I thanked him after the game.

“We went in 1-0 up and we knew they were going to come out in the second half and put us under pressure. They did that for pretty much the whole of the second half. We had to dig deep and defend as team, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.

“That’s the way we play – that’s the Manchester United way," he continued. "The team spirit, the character that we’ve got to keep ourselves going. The big man [Fellaini] got himself in the box and got on the end of one of our crosses. We’re delighted to get that goal. Everybody was celebrating together and I think the bench went crazy as well. After the game, the scenes in the dressing room were fantastic.”

Young contributed heavily to the victory with involvement in both of United’s goals, maintaining the impressive form that delights the Reds’ No.18.

“I’m enjoying my football, playing regularly,” he enthused. “I want to play well and give my input into the team – I feel like I’m doing that. The penalty came from my cross and Felli scored from my cross. I’m delighted with that but it’s a team game. We’ve got great team spirit and another two cup finals to go.”