UTD Podcast: When De Gea was scouted by Sir Alex

Tuesday 13 December 2022 12:00

Sir Alex Ferguson signed David De Gea for Manchester United in 2011, seeing the Spaniard as the ideal replacement for veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

De Gea played for Sir Alex during the legendary manager's last two seasons before he retired, and helped him to sign off by winning the Premier League for an incredible 13th time in 2013 - the club's record 20th title overall.

In the latest episode of the UTD Podcast, David speaks about his first United boss in glowing terms, revealing how he was “in shock” when he found out Sir Alex had missed a first-team match to fly to Spain and watch him play for his previous club.

Sir Alex's 'unbelievable' show of faith Video

Sir Alex's 'unbelievable' show of faith

David De Gea remembers when Sir Alex Ferguson missed a United match to come and scout him in person...

Before De Gea joined United in the summer of 2011, Sir Alex’s desire to sign him was no secret.

He missed a League Cup match, which the Reds were playing against Scunthorpe United, to go and scout De Gea playing against Valencia for Atletico Madrid.

“They told me there was someone from Manchester watching the games, but I didn’t know it was Sir Alex,” David told UTD Podcast co-hosts Helen Evans and Sam Homewood, when he was quizzed on the topic in the latest episode.

“That’s unbelievable.”

De Gea revealed that he only found out months later about the United manager’s presence at that match.

“[There] just passed some months and someone told me Sir Alex watched the game and I was a bit in shock, of course.”

The legendary Reds boss was renowned for his attention to detail and in scouting David, he had identified a player who would go on to become only the 11th player to make more than 500 appearances for the club.

Watch De Gea’s UTD Podcast in full Video

Watch De Gea’s UTD Podcast in full

UTD Podcast video | If you to prefer to watch David’s episode rather than listen, then here’s your opportunity…

Throughout the podcast, the Spaniard heaps gratitude on Sir Alex for bringing him to the club, and gives credit to him for the success he has enjoyed during his 11 years as a Red.

De Gea’s UTD Podcast is available to listen to - and watch - on ManUtd.com and in the United App now.

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