David de Gea is the “best around at the moment,” says Andrei Kanchelskis, but does not consider Manchester United’s current No. 1 to be better than his old team-mate Peter Schmeichel.
The Red Devils have been fortunate to boast a number of world-class performers between the sticks down the years.
Schmeichel helped them to establish dominance under Sir Alex Ferguson, with Edwin van der Sar taking over after a couple of failed experiments.
De Gea has been the next to pick up the baton, with the Spaniard having overcome a slow start at Old Trafford to become a model of consistency with a record-setting haul of Player of the Year awards.
“For me De Gea is the big man, a great player. He is the best around at the moment,” former United winger Kanchelskis told 888sport.
“I liken him to Peter Schmeichel because of how much he helps Manchester United but in my opinion Schmeichel was better. He was the best goalkeeper I’ve ever seen in my life.”
De Gea is currently aiding United’s quest for a top-four finish in the Premier League and FA Cup glory.
Renewed hope has been breathed into those campaigns by the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the interim coach getting the best out of key men so far.
Anthony Martial falls into that category, with the Frenchman having committed to a new long-term contract on the back of his return to form.
Kanchelskis said of the forward who appeared to be edging towards the exits under Jose Mourinho: “Martial is a great player and we see that again now under the different style and system being played.
“It is more relaxed now than under Mourinho and that is why we’re seeing better results for Manchester United because players like Martial are enjoying their football.”
While the likes of Martial, Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba are thriving, Solskjaer is yet to rekindle the spark in Alexis Sanchez.
The ex-Arsenal and Barcelona star continues to look a shadow of his former self, but Kanchelskis believes he will come good if he listens to the instructions of his current coach.
“Sanchez is in a different situation now. Being coached by Mourinho and being coached by Solskjaer is very different,” added the Russian.
“Now he is playing in a different system and is being told that he is wanted. As a winger, that to me is everything.
“A coach has two choices with Sanchez. They can either say ‘I want you’ or ‘I don’t want you’.
“Everybody talks about Sanchez, saying ‘he had a poor game on Saturday blah blah blah’ but really it comes down to the coach and their attitude.”
Read the full 888sport interview with Andrei Kanchelskis and his thoughts on how there are no wingers in Europe like Giggs and himself.
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