Manchester United

Louis van Gaal: 'David de Gea has never been a Premier League winner'

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 29 April 2016

Louis van Gaal makes a blunder by claiming that Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has never been a Premier League champion, despite winning it in 2013.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal made a blunder on Friday by claiming that goalkeeper David de Gea has "never" been a Premier League champion.

The Spanish shot-stopper was part of Sir Alex Ferguson's title-winning side in the 2012-13 season.

Van Gaal also claimed that captain Wayne Rooney and midfielder Michael Carrick have only won the league "once, or maybe more than once", but they have in fact taken home winners' medals five times.

The Dutchman made the claims in his press conference after being asked how strange it is that United will be hosting Leicester City on Sunday at Old Trafford, where the Foxes could be crowned English champions if they win the game.

"The players who are now playing, they are not used to being champions," Van Gaal told reporters. "I don't think Matteo Darmian is used to being a champion and David de Gea was never champion, so I don't agree with the way you make the question.

"Memphis Depay was a champion last year [with PSV Eindhoven] so not many players. Rooney, Carrick, they have been the champions once, or maybe more than once.

"But you have to see always the situation of where the club is, and we have seen that we are in a transitional period, and when I was mentioned as the coach, it was also about that we discussed."

United are fifth in the league table, 17 points behind Leicester.