MAN UTD fan Connor Roberts is set to face his hero David De Gea – as The New Saints begin their European adventure in Florence.
TNS have become the first domestic Welsh side to reach the group stage of European competition.
Man Utd fan Connor Roberts of TNS can’t wait to face David De Gea[/caption]
De Gea spent more than a decade between the sticks at Old Trafford.[/caption]
They start the six-game Uefa Conference League phase at last year’s finalists Fiorentina on Thursday.
For keeper Roberts, 31, it is a dream come true, with former United star De Gea set to don the Viola gloves after ending his year-long absence from football to sign for the Italian giants.
Robert, who expects to be the busiest man on the night at Stadio Artemio Franchi, said: “I’m a lifelong Man United fan and it would be extra special to play against De Gea.
“He’s arguably one of the best shot-stoppers the Premier League has ever had.
“He was the best goalkeeper in the Premier League by a country mile and I’d say he probably saved United from a couple of bottom-half finishes.
“Unfortunately it didn’t finish too well for him because [Erik ten Hag] came in and wanted to go down a different direction, but football’s all about opinions.”
Roberts counts former United first-team coach Eric Ramsey – now in charge of MLS outfit Minnesota – as a good friend.
And he even considered asking him to contact De Gea before the Florence tie.
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He continued: “Eric’s brother Alex is one of my closest mates and is also involved at TNS as part-time goalkeeping coach.
“I’ve also got a good relationship with Eric and I was thinking of asking him to drop De Gea a line and say ‘Listen, can you give the TNS goalkeeper five minutes at the end’?
“But I’ll definitely go and ask for his shirt at the end and maybe have a quick chat then.”
Wrexham-born Roberts’ own career has not hit the heights he dreamed of after signing for Everton aged 15 when he faced the likes of Marouane Fellaini, Tim Cahill and Yakubu in first-team training sessions.
The Wales Under-21 international had various loan stays before spells at Cheltenham and Chester and a move into the Welsh Premiership.
The highlight was a call-up to Chris Coleman’s senior Wales squad for a friendly against the Netherlands in June 2014.
Man Utd ratings vs Tottenham
MANCHESTER UNITED suffered a 3-0 thrashing against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was sent off in the first half for fouling James Maddison, forcing Erik Ten Hag’s side to play with 10 men against Ange Postecoglou’s team.
After back-to-back draws against Crystal Palace and FC Twente fans hoped United would redeem themselves against Spurs.
However, the match at Old Trafford quickly turned sour. Brennan Johnson scored early and things worsened when Fernandes was sent off allowing Spurs to extend their lead to 3-0.
And here is how SunSports Charlie Wyett rated the Manchester United stars.
Andre Onana – 5
Stood his ground to deliver a good save from Timo Werner who was clean through – no chance for either goal.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
First in the refs’ book for chopping down Destiny Udogie. Could also have blocked Micky van de Ven for the goal. Just watched Solanke make it 3-0.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Shocking first half. Failed to cut out the cross from Micky van de Ven which led to the first goal.
Lisandro Martinez – 5
Switched off for the Spurs goal and was drawn to the ball and Johnson was left unmarked.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Gave the ball away in dangerous areas and struggled against Johnson.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
Suffered a stinker and was lucky to last until the 73rd minute.
Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Not one of his better performances and was taken off just before half-time following Fernandes’ sending-off.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Over-ran the ball for Tottenham’s first. Way off the pace.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Arguably the worst captain in United’s history. Deserved red card for his challenge on James Maddison.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Had United’s only chance in the first half but hit the outside of the post. Improved in the second half.
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Looked completely lost up front – threatening to be another poor Erik ten Hag signing. Replaced at half-time.
Subs:
Mount (for Mainoo 45) 5, Casemiro (for Zirkzee 46) 7, Hojlund (for Rashford 73) 5, Eriksen (for Ugarte 73) 5.
Roberts remembers: “I couldn’t catch a ball in the warm-up, I was that nervous.
“I went from Wales Under-21s where I was starter over Danny Ward – who has gone on to have a fantastic career – to not being able to get a club for love or money and that was a really tough period.
“I always thought I would climb back up the ladder, but in the end it didn’t turn out that way.”
TNS have already played eight European matches this season.
And Roberts accepts facing Italy striker Moise Kean will be a far sterner test than anything experienced before.
He added: “We’ve managed to attract a bit more attention to the Welsh Premiership with our run in Europe and it’s fantastic to play a team like Fiorentina.
“Hopefully we can keep that solidity we’ve had in the European campaign. It’s a big ask, but giving the best version of ourselves is what counts.”
