UTD Podcast: De Gea’s Old Trafford legacy
This week, we are pleased to announce that current Reds goalkeeper David De Gea features on the UTD Podcast.
Having amassed more than 500 appearances for United during his 11 years at the club, David has cemented himself as a great – and he’s still going!
During the episode – which will be available to listen to from 17:00 GMT today (Monday) – David discusses life as a Red, from lifting silverware and being managed by Sir Alex Ferguson, to now playing under Erik ten Hag over a decade later.
But perhaps the most poignant part of this particular podcast is David’s legacy, and what he set out to achieve when he first joined United in 2011.
When the Spaniard arrived from Atletico Madrid, he said: “I have every intention of spending many years here at Manchester United. I want to become a great United keeper and I want to earn and deserve the respect that I hope to get.”
This quote was put to the man himself by host Sam Homewood, and David explained how “proud” he is to have lived up to these ambitions.
Speaking of his time at the club, De Gea said: “It’s been many years here, many games. Good things, bad things, but it’s been a privilege to be here.
“I feel, I said already, I feel like I’m at home.
“So, [I’m] super proud. The responsibility is huge as well but I’m feeling great.”
Back in October, in our match against Newcastle United, our no.1 hit a landmark 500 appearances for United. David added himself to an illustrious list of Reds, as only the 11th player to have reached this figure for the club.
De Gea's 500 games in numbers
ArticleWe crunch the stats behind David's landmark, which he reached on Sunday.
“I feel very good, very proud, I think it’s something difficult to achieve,” he said of this achievement to Homewood and co-host Helen Evans.
“To play 500 games for any team is tough, but especially to play 500 for a massive club like Manchester United, is something crazy.
“I said already but I think I will realise [the achievement] more when I stop playing and maybe I’m at home and relaxing, and say ‘okay, I played more than 500 games for this massive club.’”
In addition to David’s United legacy, the Spaniard reveals plenty of tales about his time as a Red on the latest episode of the UTD Podcast, from being scouted by Sir Alex to adjusting to life in Manchester.
You can listen to or watch the episode on ManUtd.com and in the United App from 17:00 GMT, and it certainly isn’t one to be missed!