Bayern Munich v Manchester United: David de Gea at a loss to explain the difference in Manchester United's form in the Champions League

United have lost six times at home in the Premier League but Tuesday's 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich keeps their European hopes alive

David de Gea cannot explain why Manchester United's form in the Champions League has been much better than the Premier League (Getty Images)

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was lost for words when he tried to explain why their Premier League form doesn’t match up with their showings in the Champions League, with the Spaniard admitting “there’s no particular reason for it.”

Since David Moyes took over from the retired Sir Alex Ferguson, Unitec have suffered six defeats in front of their own fans at Old Trafford, and they languish down in seventh place in the league table with their defence of the crown won last season clearly over.

However, Tuesday night saw Moyes’ side earn a tough 1-1 draw with European champions Bayern Munich, and it was a match that the Red Devils could have easily won having seen an early Danny Welbeck goal ruled out for a high foot and a straight-forward one-on-one opportunity missed by the same player.

When asked to explain the difference in United’s form when playing in Europe, de Gea was at a loss to explain it.

“It's hard to say why,” the 23-year-old admitted. “There's no particular reason for it.

“But we've certainly played better and been more consistent in Europe than in the league.

“They're two different competitions and things haven't gone well in the league, but the Champions League is a special competition, the team have done well.

“It's been quite a tough period for us in the league and we were down after the defeats to Liverpool and (Manchester) City.

“But we are United and we must lift ourselves and fight.

“This is a big club and at difficult moments is when you stand up and show people how big you are.”

United travel to Germany for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final second leg where they have to score after conceding an away goal to the defending champions. Nemanja Vidic’s second-half goal did however show that they are vulnerable, and United can take heart from the fact that Bayern have not beaten English opposition at the Allianz Arena in their last four attempts.