However, it took three outstanding late saves from De Gea to deny substitutes Leon Osman, twice, and Bryan Oviedo an equaliser, with van Gaal happy to acknowledge the keeper's key contribution.
"Yes of course, " added the United manager. "At the end of the first half he stopped a penalty so that was good. "He did very well in the last 15 minutes with three shots outside the box which are always difficult because a lot of players are in front of him, so his view is not always good.
But when you stop those kind of shots you are very good. I said to him, it is always good when a goalkeeper has such games. It shall improve his confidence. "Everton have won just one Premier League game so far this season and, having finished fifth last term, now find themselves hovering above the relegation zone.
