De Gea error was latest in line of mistakes and his form mirrors Man Utd

You will have seen the damning number by now, the six mistakes directly contributing to opposition goals made by David de Gea since the start of last season.

Sunday was the latest, Ismaila Sarr's tame effort slipping through the Manchester United goalkeeper's grasp, the sort of clip that belongs on festive blooper reels.

'David has been very good lately and that is just one of those things that happen,' Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reasoned after defeat at Watford, while also suggesting that his keeper was preoccupied with the thought of a quick counter-attack rather than just gathering the shot.

'He might be thinking about where we're going to go from then. One of the things we are looking for now is when he catches it we're going to go forward quick and maybe it's down to the next action.'

Solskjaer was also at pains to point out that Victor Lindelof's own goal against Everton last week was not down to a De Gea error. The United manager is still adamant that Dominic Calvert-Lewin committed a foul by unfairly encroaching on his goalkeeper, who shouldered the brunt of criticism in the aftermath. There was definitely an argument for De Gea to attack the cross with more gusto.

Conversely, there have also been big, positive moments for him in recent weeks. The stunning save to deny Rodri during the Manchester derby victory kept United two clear at the Etihad Stadium when the game might have turned.

And last month's one-man mission to keep United afloat at Bramall Lane was up there with his great rescue acts. Sheffield United peppered his goal before the break and Solskjaer's side escaped with a 3-3 draw. Saves in those two fixtures probably earned United three points.

Yet there does lie an obvious problem with the Spaniard, who is failing to hit his previously high standards. The air of absolute assurance is not there at the moment.

Some supporters are pointing towards the form of Dean Henderson at Sheffield United and wondering whether the youngster ought to become their new No 1 before too long. Still only 22, Henderson's displays during his debut top-flight campaign have been mature – and no other stopper has kept more clean sheets than his seven thus far.

While at United, it is 13 Premier League games without a clean sheet – the longest run of De Gea's career without one. While that is down to far more than his own form, or occasional lack of concentration, it represents an obvious worry.

This has been a year of change for De Gea. Any suggestion of a move away to Real Madrid was quashed in September with the signing of a new four-year contract.

'Now my future is fixed, all I want is to help this team achieve what I believe we can and win trophies again, together,' he said at the time.

'As one of the senior players in the squad, I want to support and lead in any way that I can to assist the younger players, so they know what it means to play here.'

He had lost his own support shortly after, however, when Emilio Alvarez departed suddenly. Alvarez was De Gea's mentor way back at Atletico Madrid and no official reason has been given for his parting. The pair would spend time together away from Carrington and their bond was strong.

While he might be 29, a seasoned professional by now, it is not a great leap to wonder whether Alvarez leaving has affected De Gea - particularly when it comes to concentration. Richard Hartis was brought in as another goalkeeping coach over the summer, all but spelling the end for Alvarez.

It has also been noticeable how agitated De Gea has become at general performances under Solskjaer. He was lost for words during an interview with Sky Sports following the defeat at Newcastle. 'I don't know what to say,' he sighed.

'This is probably the worst, most difficult, time since I've been here. It's worrying because I don't know why.' Clearly, his own form must improve but De Gea's mistakes feel emblematic of where United are.