In a recent interview with ESPN, David de Gea has revealed his thoughts on the eventful past few months and the current season with Louis van Gaal, who he claims “gave me a lot of confidence” on his return to the club after the close of the transfer window.
The United keeper has had a great start to the season albeit his start to the season was delayed by Sergio Romero given the botched transfer which saw Real Madrid unable to secure de Gea in what seemed like an inevitable move.
The Spanish international has praised the Dutchman and the Manchester United faithful for helping him return to the starting squad without a hitch, during which he has signed a new contract keeping him at the club until 2019.
On the ESPN Deportes show Fuera De Juego, de Gea stated:
I felt in that moment that to extend my contract was the best thing to do. I’m really happy now, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I feel loved by the fans.
Nobody let me down or disappointed me — these are things that happen. You must look forward, and I am very happy now.
During the market anything can happen, it can all change inside a minute. Football is like that. There were difficult moments, strange moments, but they help you to mature. To be stronger.
The 25-year old has yet again played a pivotal role in United’s efforts to stay in the top four with five clean sheets so far.
de Gea also explained how the squad like to portray themselves on the pitch by bringing van Gaal’s values onto the pitch with them:
From outside, you see a person with a lot of character, which is what he is.
[He is] a hard and strong coach, but that is what we also try to transmit out on the pitch — that aggression and that attitude the coach has. He is very methodical, and in the end things are going well for us.
He also opened up on a possible ‘friendship’ with the Manchester United manager:
In the end it is hard to be friends with any coach — you have a lot of respect for him, but it is difficult to be their friend.
But he is a good person. You can talk with him about anything you want, and face to face he is sincere. We have a normal relationship between a coach and player. We both want what is best for the club.
From the first I day I came back, after all that happened, he gave me a lot of confidence, told me I would play, to relax and keep doing what I had done before. He is a joker, makes a lot of jokes. Now and again likes to do something so that there is a good mood. But we talk mostly about football.
With a very nice touch, de Gea also thanked the Manchester United fans for truly accepting him as one of their own on his return to the starting side in a 3-1 triumph over Liverpool:
The first game I returned, after all that had happened, was impressive. The way Old Trafford received me, it made the hairs stand up. It’s very difficult to describe what that day was like. I really appreciate it.
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