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De Gea concedes he must improve quickly

ESPN staff
August 8, 2011
David de Gea remains confident, despite a dodgy competitive debut for Manchester United © PA Photos
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New Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea insists he has what it takes to be a success in English football - but admits he cannot afford to spend much time getting used to life in the Premier League.

De Gea made an unconvincing start to life as Edwin van der Sar's replacement on his competitive debut for United, letting in two first-half goals as Manchester City earned a 2-0 half-time lead before eventually losing 3-2.

He was guilty of letting a 30-yarder from Edin Dzeko slip under his body for the second, while he was slow to leave his line as Joleon Lescott nodded Roberto Mancini's side into the lead by getting on the end of David Silva's inviting centre.

But De Gea, who signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford in June after leaving Atletico Madrid, played down the significance of his inauspicious debut.

When asked whether he was experiencing problems getting to grips with the English game, he said: "No, football is football here and in any country. I have to adapt quickly and improve on the whole of my game.

"The two goals we conceded in the first half stopped us in our tracks but in the second half we were able to claw back and I think that's the important thing, I'm very happy about the victory."

Red Devils boss Sir Alex Ferguson leapt to De Gea's defence post-match, claiming that Dzeko's strike swerved wickedly before finding the net.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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