JAKARTA - The Europa League final features the highest quality penalty shootouts where every player successfully converts their shot. However, Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea failed to do two tasks at once.
First, the Spanish goalkeeper failed to block the ball from The Yellow Submarine goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. Then, he was also unable to beat the Argentine goalkeeper while serving as the executor from 12 yards. As a result, the trophy floated to Villarreal.
After the match, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted that De Gea's record was actually a cause for concern in high-fives.
De Gea's record saving of penalties is not good, where he last successfully saved a penalty in the 2016 FA Cup semi-final against Everton. At that time he successfully warded off Romelu Lukaku's shot.
Since then, the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has faced 40 penalties and not one has been saved.
It is this poor record that led Solskjaer to contemplate replacing De Gea in extra-time, with Dean Henderson having a much better penalty record.
"You go through all the scenarios, of course, and it crossed my mind (to replace De Gea) in preparation for the match, but we trust David and we are ready," said Solskjaer.
"Anything can happen in a penalty shootout, but I am still with the goalkeeper who has played the whole match," he continued.
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