Few players have been as key to Manchester United in recent years as David de Gea. The Spaniard, purchased from Atletico Madrid in 2011 for £18.9m as a replacement for Edwin van der Sar, endured a tricky start to life in English football and struggled to adapt to a more physical style, but after seven years, De Gea has blossomed into one of the greatest goalkeepers in world football, and potentially United’s best ever shotstopper. Indeed, such has been De Gea’s importance to United since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013 that he has won the club’s Sim Matt Busy Player of the Year trophy four times. De Gea had this to say after his fourth triumph in May of this year:
“It’s difficult for words what Manchester United means to me. It’s amazing to play for the club, the history, the fans, everything. It was hard in the beginning, but I believed in myself, I worked hard and I am proud of myself as well. I want to say thanks to everyone. I didn’t expect to win this one. I have four, it’s amazing for me and thanks again to everyone.”
His performances have caught the attention of the footballing world, unsurprisingly, and Real Madrid have long coveted the former Atleti ‘keeper. After several failed attempts, including 2015’s famous fax machine gaffe that saw a swap with Keylor Navas fall through at the 11th hour on transfer deadline day, De Gea has appeared more settled at Old Trafford, and according to these comments carried by the Manchester Evening News, is perfectly content to stay where he is:
“Future? I’m happy where I am, happy. Now, [I’m] very focused on the national team.”
Anything can be open to interpretation, but after experiencing many summers where De Gea’s future at United felt like it was hanging in the balance, the Spanish no.1 seems more than satisfied with his current surrounding, which is no small comfort to United fans.
