United’s saving grace emerges

Michael Carrick believes David de Gea showed his true character in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a Champions League examination at the Bernabeu.

Whilst Manchester United left Madrid yesterday following their draw with Jose Mourinho’s Real feeling it could have been even better, they were also aware had it not been for De Gea, they could well have been out of the tie.

From his brilliant five-minute save to tip Fabio Coentrao’s curling shot on to a post, to the unorthodox manner in which he kept the full-back out deep in the second half, De Gea was outstanding.