Sir Alex Ferguson defends David de Gea

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has leapt to the defence of under-fire goalkeeper David de Gea.

The Spanish keeper was blamed by some for both of the goals that allowed Liverpool to progress through to round five of the FA Cup this afternoon.

However, Ferguson has laid the blame at the feet of De Gea's teammates.

"Our own players created a problem for the first goal," said Ferguson.

"They didn't give [De Gea] enough room to deal with it."

United paid Atletico Madrid £18m for the 21-year-old during the summer.