• Premier League

De Gea vows to come good

ESPN staff
September 9, 2011
David de Gea is left ro rue an error against Manchester City in the Community Shield © PA Photos
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Under-fire Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea says he will not let his shaky start to life at Old Trafford affect his confidence, insisting he has what it takes to be a "key player" despite the "pressure" of playing for one of the world's best clubs.

The 20-year-old has courted criticism since making a £18.3 million move from Atletico Madrid this summer, standing out for all the wrong reasons as a series of blunders have blighted the start of his United career.

Despite United winning all four games that De Gea has played this season, the Spaniard, who is attempting to fill the void left by the retiring Edwin van der Sar, has made a number of errors which have only been diluted as a consequence of Sir Alex Ferguson's side earning victories.

It has been a baptism of fire for the young keeper, although he insists the early negativity has not left him questioning his ability. "It feels normal when you do things wrong, even if it is just a couple of mistakes, that the press has the right to criticise," De Gea told the Daily Telegraph.

"That applies even more so when you're a goalkeeper as you are always in the spotlight. But what happened is normal and it is now up to me to change those negative reports into praise. I am looking to improve after every practice session, every match - but mostly I must keep intact my confidence in my own ability and what that can bring to the team.

"I am surrounded by good people and that means we can do great things this year. I will continue to grow as a keeper and have the confidence to be a key player. But we are talking about one of the best clubs in the world, and that always involves pressure and getting immediate results."

De Gea has found support in the form of his team-mates and manager Ferguson, with the club putting the player on a personalised training programme aimed at improving his physique to help him cope with the physicality of the Premier League.

"Every day I integrate a bit more, after each moment, training sessions and game, I am enjoying it a lot," said De Gea. "My English is improving. It is hard in a different country, but little by little, it is working and I am not worried.

"You really get the feeling that you belong to a big club and I am enjoying the experience. I am very happy and things are going well. But it is normal that things are a bit different. I have new team-mates and football is different from Spain. I have trained just two months with the defence, but everything will get easier, I am convinced about that."

United's goalkeeping coach Eric Steele has taken Spanish lessons to help De Gea settle in his new surroundings as quickly as possible, but it is Ferguson's patience and continued support which De Gea has valued the most.

"As you are with him [Ferguson], you realise that he has such an impressive personality," he said. "And I was surprised how kind he was, just like the rest of the players."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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