Roy Keane has led the criticism into David de Gea’s bizarre goalkeeping error that allowed Everton to equalise against Manchester United in their FA Cup third-round tie.
The Spanish goalkeeper was caught out at his near-post as the ball squirmed between his legs and crept into the path of Conor Coady who had an empty net to tap into to pull Everton level at 1-1.
During ITV’s half-time coverage, Keane said it looked as though the Spanish keeper had ‘a few drinks’ due to his unusual mistake.
When asked about the goal, the former United captain said: ‘Listen, it’s a shocking mistake from an international goalkeeper.
‘De Gea there, it’s like Carry On football. It looks as if he’s had a few drinks. Shocking mistake.
‘It’s almost as if the keepers been sent off and an outfield players gone in goal, he doesn’t know what to do! It’s a horrendous mistake.’
Keane’s comments compared the error to the slapstick comedy in the ‘Carry On’ British comedy film series.
The man who drew Everton level, turned out to be the man who gifted United a goal later in the game as Coady put the ball in the back of his own net from a Rashford cross.
Keane though wasn’t the only pundit to rip into De Gea’s mistake on Friday night.
His co-pundit on ITV Ian Wright said: ‘We’re talking about a goalkeeper that, not too long ago, was one of the best with his feet. I don’t know what’s happened there.’
Wright’s former Arsenal team-mate Lee Dixon, who was on co-commentary said at the time of the goal: ‘David De Gea has had an absolute nightmare there. I’m not sure where he thinks the ball is going. What is he doing.
‘I cannot believe what I’ve just seen. He’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world at making save with his feet but on that occasion, just put your gloves on it. What is going through his head.’
Kevin Campbell on BBC Radio 5 Live also added that De Gea ‘should have done better’ while Alan Stubbs on BBC Radio Merseyside described it as a ‘shocking mistake’.
Fans also ripped into the mistake on social media, with some labelling the 32-year-old as ‘finished’.
Despite the mistake, De Gea’s team-mates bailed him out as they clinched a 3-1 victory to move into the fourth round of the FA Cup.
It’s not the first time Keane has ripped into De Gea after a blunder against Everton.
In 2020, Everton took the lead within the opening three minutes of the clash at Goodison Park, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin charging down De Gea’s delayed pass.
Speaking during Sky Sports’ coverage, Keane said: ‘As a manager, or a player, you’d kill him. I swear, it’s crazy. You talk about people being too clever.
‘It just takes too long, what is he waiting for? If you’re going to make a decision, at least make it quickly. These are huge moments for United in terms of trying to get top four.
‘You’ve got your experienced goalkeeper, what is he waiting for? There’s almost a bit of arrogance to it, “look at me, give me time”.
‘They almost think they’re outfield players. I would have lynched him at half time, I’d have no time for that carry on. I know keepers can make mistakes, but there’s no excuse for that.’
