David De Gea.

De Gea: I'm still young for a keeper

Tuesday 14 December 2021 09:17

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea is convinced that, at 31, he still has many years to come at the top of his profession.

The Spain international broke into the Atletico Madrid side at an early age and joined the Reds a decade ago, during Sir Alex Ferguson's reign. He has moved up the all-time appearances chart at the club, with Alex Stepney being the only keeper ahead of him in this respect.

This season, De Gea admits he is feeling better than ever, with a Man-of-the-Match performance in Saturday's 1-0 win at Norwich City following his Player-of-the-Month accolade for November.

De Gea's fingertip save to deny Pukki Video

De Gea's fingertip save to deny Pukki

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In an interview with club media, it was suggested time has flown since he joined the Reds 10 years ago.

"It’s been a long time but, hopefully, there are more years to come and more trophies to come," he told us. "More good moments to live. So what can I say? I’m massively proud of what I did for this club and to play for this badge. It’s amazing.

"I feel maybe in one of the best shapes of my career. I feel very well. Maybe some people think I’m older because I’ve been in the game for many, many years but I am still young for a goalkeeper. I’m still learning every day, giving 100 per cent in training, so like I say, hopefully there are more years and more games to come."

David has now overtaken legendary former skipper Bryan Robson in the all-time appearances list, which is some achievement in itself. Only 16 players have represented the Reds on more occasions than his 462, with Michael Carrick next in his sights, and he was pleased to move past Robbo with his outing, and well-earned clean sheet, at Carrow Road.

"Of course, he’s been a massive legend for the club so that means I’ve been here a long time, to play a lot of games," added our no.1.

"So I should be proud of what I did because it’s not easy to be here as long as I have been here. Let’s go for more. I want to play more games, I want to enjoy more and win games and I want this club to be on the top again."

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Another thing that has stood out this campaign has been David's willingness to step forward for media duties, including after some difficult results for the Reds, which perhaps shows his status as a senior player is cemented.

"Yes, I’ve been here for good moments and bad moments," he admitted. "You have to put your face out there in the good and bad moments. I’ve been here a long time, I am one of the most experienced players here.

"In bad moments, I feel I have to be here to show we are here, we are together, we are a team and to try to help the young lads and the people here, to make us stronger."

De Gea has a reunion with Atletico Madrid to look forward to in 2022 after the Champions League draw, at the second time of asking, pitted us against his former club.

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