De Gea has endured a difficult first season in England, making high-profile mistakes early on, then losing his place to Anders Lindegaard after a disastrous display against Blackburn on New Year's Eve.
The Spain Under-21 star was also heavily criticised for his performance in the FA Cup defeat at Liverpool a fortnight ago, to the extend there was even a debate about who would be in goal at Stamford Bridge after a solid contribution from rookie Ben Amos in the win over Stoke.
However, after recovering from the ankle injury that kept him out of that encounter, De Gea was recalled.
And the £18million man responded with a quite exceptional effort to keep out Juan Mata's free-kick in the final seconds of stoppage time to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw.
"I don't know if any other goalkeeper in the country would have saved that shot from (Juan) Mata," said Ferguson.
"His speed and agility is outstanding.
"David knows he had a bad day against Liverpool in the cup. But goalkeepers can have those days.
"Last week's performance will help. He saved us a point.
"When you get a free-kick with the last kick of the game and your goalkeeper makes a save like that, you have to say it's a point saved."
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his abilitry to deal with crosses is downright abysmal and in recent weeks his decision making has become decidedly ropey
David, the stage is now set for you. Old Trafford tomorrow, Liverpool the visitors, a huge crowd and a great atmosphere. Bring it on!
We will ALL get behind you and give you our one hundred percent backing. My stomach is 'churning' even now, and there is still twenty four hours or so to go; goodness knows how YOU are feeling?
I am confident that you will give a performance on a par with any of our great United predecessors, and that I will also be posting comments of the highest order about your performance as numero uno
United 'til I die!
Anyone who as already written the lad off just cast your minds back to Ronaldo in his first three seasons when people was slagging him off as a one trick pony and so on. Anyone with a ounce of sense could see Ronaldo was going to be class it's the same thing with De Gea. Some people only can see the mistakes he has made but don't want to mention the plus points. At twenty years old he is a kid in goalkeeping terms he needs time to settle get used to the game over here and obviously fill out his frame. A settled back four which we haven't had this season would of helped his confidence in games aswell give the lad a chance and get behind him.
Prior to the Chelsea game I had a feeling he'd have a good game, and he did. He's a good keeper and will only improve. Opposing teams will undoubtedly keep putting him under pressure, but that pressure is essential for him to learn how to deal with it.
I still think the lad has the potential to be fantastic. His relexes and ability are world class already. His strength, confidence, box ownership and positioning are all lacking to some degree or another and that will all come with experience in the Prem. I think we all forget how old he is.
The main issue I have is that we did buy a young goalkeeper to begin with. Flies in the face of previous thought for a United starting keeper a bit. Surely a stronger more experienced goalie would have seen us pick up more points this campaign. There were even a few that moved for cheap last summer.
He's cost a few games and chances of trophies this season, the defence dont seem as settled when he plays,and dont get the hailing of him when he conceeded 3 goals that game(tho neither were his fault) He can only get better but if it wasnt for the age and price tag he'd be in the reserves by now
This kid is going to be an amazing goalie. Tomorrow, he's going to shut Liverpool out and up!
Drives me mad the stick this lad is getting. Mind you, the fickleness of the media is highlighted by the fact that he is "the worst signing ever" makes one save (albeit pretty special) and all of a sudden he is great again.
He is incredibly talented, just made a few mistakes here and there.
Don't also forget that playing behind an inexperienced and ever changing defense makes life very difficult. Would the goal against Liverpool have happened with Rio and Vidic there? Unlikely because they would have made room for him.
Let's all just get behind the lad and accept that in the next 10 years or so before he reaches his peak, he may make the odd mistake, but he may also save us the odd point as well!
Remember Schmeichel in his first season! If after another season he is playing just as erratic then yes get shut, but he is 20 and in his first season, and hopefully will be like Van der Sar, as he has a similar build to him.
Totally agree Alex, similarly when he picked it out of his net SIX TIMES!