David De Gea Manchester United's New Van Der Sar.

After his arrival at Old Trafford for £18 million, David De Gea was under great scrutiny to become the next Van Der Sar. At only 20 years old Ferguson was evidently buying De Gea as a long term option, safe in the knowledge that he could stay at the club for another 15 years at least. On the 23rd of December 2010 Manchester United were informed that a club legend Edwin Van Der Sar would be retiring come the end of the season. This sparked many rumours of possible replacements for the Dutchman, with Manuel Neuer, Maarten Stekelenburg and David De Gea being the 3 goalies that Ferguson was linked with. After Neuer left for Bayern Munchen and Stekelenburg to AS Roma it became obvious that it would be Spaniard David De Gea that would be the one and that is who it was.

International Career:
David De Gea started his Spain career as early as Spain's U15 team where he made 12 appearances. He moved on to Spain's U17 team where they won the 2007 European Championships and ended runner up in the 2007 World Cup with David between the sticks. De Gea came close to reaching the 2010 World cup squad but in disappointing fashion he got beaten to the squad by Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina and Victor Valdes all world class keepers. But De Gea, who was 19 at the time of the disappointment, went onto the Spanish U21 side in 2011 where he won the European Championships. He was an influential part in this cup win, only conceding 2 goals in the whole competition and saving a penalty against Uruguay. (top left)

Atletico Madrid Career: 


De Gea joined the Atletico youth system aged 10 and was there until he was 17. At the age of 18 De Gea moved up to the Atletico B team where he spent a full year making 35 appearances for the club. He was noted here and made his debut in the Champions league encounter with Porto where he came on for Roberto when he got injured. He made his league debut 3 days later. When Quique Flores arrived as manager De Gea was made first choice keeper over Sergio Asenjo who was hitting a decline in his Atletico Madrid career. In the first season he finished Atletico won the Europa league bringing great joy to Quique Flores who had taken the risk on his new young keeper. Atletico followed it up with a European super cup victory the next season and a 7th place league finish. After this Quique Flores stated 'No one needs to tell me he's a great goalkeeper. He's the best in the world.'  

























Manchester United Career:

His competitive debut for Manchester United was made in the FA Community Shield versus Manchester City. There were many eyes cast on the 20 year old in this game. With expectations of everyone with anything to do with the club David got caught by a tough free kick to deal with that resulted in a Lescott goal (below) and a long shot which was hit with wicked speed and swerve by City flop Edin Dzeko (right). When asked about the Dzeko goal Ferguson said 'Well it was bending a little bit.... it's difficult to say.'

In his second competitive game against West Brom De Gea was under similar scrutiny once again. It was obvious that away at the Hawthorns was going to be an incredibly tough game for the new signing De Gea and that is what it proved to be as Shane Long hit a snap shot and it crept under the body of the 6 ft 4 keeper. It was evident of his disappointment with himself to have let in such a tame effort, Sky Sports pundit and former United legend Gary Neville describe it as a 'routine save' at half time in the studio. To De Gea's credit on this occasion he bounced back and retained his composure to make a fabulous save from Paul Scharner later on in the game. It was a tough day for all of the United team on the opening day of the season and it took a late Ashley Young inspired Own Goal to get United an outstanding 2-1 victory.  

Poor goalkeeping on this occasion leading to a debut goal for Shane Long.

Although De Gea has conceded on both of his two competitive games as Manchester United goalkeeper so far Manchester United have come out victorious on both occasions. This proves to me the team still has faith in the goalkeeper and that they have not lost the drive to win. Some of his criticism is extremely harsh and unnecessary as his international and Atletico Madrid performances prove. He has been unlucky his first two games were extremely physical games where a lot of contact was made with his face. At only 20 years old I believe De Gea is the best keeper in the world at the moment, he still has to prove himself to most sceptical United fans but he has my faith and will as long as he is a Manchester United player.