Charlie Nicholas insists David De Gea has become a ‘liability’ Manchester United cannot afford in their final push for the top four.
United can take a massive step towards qualification for the Champions League if they can beat West Ham on Wednesday night and go three points clear of Leicester City.
Criticism of De Gea has only increased since his disastrous display against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final and Nicholas branded the goalkeeper ‘broken’.
‘Man Utd have pace and movement up front, but their defence is not right. David De Gea has world class attributes but his confidence is broken, and yet he stays in the team. He has become a liability for big games,’ Nicholas told Sky Sports.
‘Since the return, Tottenham away was the big game and Manchester United drew that, with the games after being ones which you would expect a decent Manchester United side to win.
‘This one is a must-win, which then gives them a cushion of a draw in the last game at Leicester to get into the top four, and they will get over the line in this one. It will be tense but they will wear West Ham down.’
United will be keeping a close eye on Chelsea’s game against Liverpool, with the Blues in third place and a point above the Red Devils.
Chelsea could still slip out of the top four and Nicholas insists the race for a Champions League spot is still too close to call.
‘Question marks are beside all three of them, but how do you pick a winner out of Chelsea, Leicester and Manchester United?’ he said.
‘A ten per cent drop is a lot when you are Liverpool, and setting the standards they have set, and they will want to be seen as proper Premier League champions on this occasion.
‘Jurgen Klopp will be angry with them at the moment and I think he will play his strongest team and get a reaction from his players.’
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