Arsenal vs Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer defends David De Gea and blames ‘strange’ ball movement for Granit Xhaka opener

The Spaniard appeared to misjudge the flight of the ball by stepping to his left and was not able to recover as the Swiss midfielder put the Gunners in front

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted that David De Gea was not at fault for Granit Xhaka’s goal in Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat to Arsenal, putting it down to the “strange” movement of the ball and his players backing off the midfielder.

The Swiss international put Arsenal in front with a wickedly swerving strike, that appeared to catch De Gea flat-footed. Solskjaer however rejected this, and also denied that the goalkeeper’s ongoing contract uncertainty is affecting his game.

“I don’t class it as a mistake,” Solskjaer said. “Because I’m stood right behind the ball, we don’t put pressure on Xhaka.

“He must be Brazilian, by the way. Because of the way he struck the ball and it swirls and it moves in the air, it goes to David’s left and changes direction completely. That’s just one of those things.

“He’s disappointed every time he concedes a goal because he is a top keeper. The ball moves so strange it looks like it goes to his left and changes direction, but we were too slow to get up to them.

“The first 15 or 20 minutes, we never really got up to them and he had time to hit the ball.”

De Gea still hasn’t signed a new deal at United, with the situation at an impasse due to the fact his representatives want to make him the best paid player at the club. Solskaer insisted that has not affected his performance in the slightest.

De Gea reacts after his error sees United go behind (Getty)

“Not at all, David’s really focused and concentrated he’s too professional to let his mind wander,” added Solskjaer.

“The best players know how to focus and he’s been absolutely fantastic.”