Mourinho: I don’t want de Gea to be United’s best player!

In David de Gea, Manchester United boast one of the best goalkeepers in world football, but Jose Mourinho admits he wants anyone but the shot-stopper to be the Red Devils’ best player of the season.

The 26-year-old has undeniably justified his £18.9m price tag since signing from Atletico Madrid in June 2011, going from strength and strength despite being under the tutelage of a plethora of managers.

So valuable was his influence, the Spaniard became the first goalkeeper to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year – as voted by the fans – in 2013.

But supporter honours didn’t end there, also becoming the first player to win the award three years in succession – something which Mourinho admits is not always a positive.

The manager was also quick to praise his gloveman for his work in victory over West Ham United last time out, with his save from Michail Antonio vital in keeping a clean sheet in the Red Devils’ sixth successive victory.

(Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

“I think when a goalkeeper is the player of the season it’s because something is wrong,” said Mourinho.

“Hopefully, David is not our Player of the Year again this season, but hopefully he keeps making important saves for us like he did in the last match.”

“I hugged David at the end of the game because I think without the save against Antonio there would not have been three points.

“If Antonio had scored with 25 minutes remaining, the way they were organised and defending, it would have been very difficult to win.”