Krishnan Sreekumar
Manchester United keeper David de Gea insists he cannot see himself ever leaving Old Trafford
Speaking to UEFA ahead of his side’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16 (h/t Daily Mail), Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has claimed he cannot see himself exiting the club anytime soon.
de Gea moved from Atletico to United in the summer of 2011 as a young goalkeeper expected to fill in the shoes of the retired Edwin van der Sar. A decade on, there can be no questions about the Spaniard having done exactly what was asked of him, with the player becoming a fan favourite at Old Trafford.
With an important tie against his former club looming over his head, the shot-stopper insisted that the game was just another match as far as he was concerned and that he would go there to win.
“Of course, I’m going back home [for this tie], I’m going back to the club that gave me the opportunity to be who I am today. But this is just another match. Obviously, I wish Atletico all the best, but I don’t know whether the fact we’re playing them is a good or bad omen. Everyone is going there to win, especially me.”
de Gea has been the first choice for several managers during his long stay at the club, and that does not look like it will change anytime soon as the Spain international has continued to impress in the current season as well, producing match-winning stops in multiple games.
Loved and welcome in Manchester
The keeper has won everything on offer to him in English football, but a Champions League trophy is missing from his cabinet. Given this is United’s only chance at winning silverware this season, the player must be amped up to give it his all in the competition on Wednesday.
United’s number one spoke about his love for the city and club, saying that he now feels like he is from Manchester and that he doesn’t see himself moving away from Old Trafford in the near future.
“Now I feel as if I’m from Manchester; I just feel like anyone else from Manchester. Where you are loved and welcomed is your home. I’ve been here for many years and, obviously, anything can happen in life, in the world of football, but honestly I don’t see myself away from Manchester United.”
It is almost a given that he will take up the place between the sticks on Wednesday night, as Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton have been no match for de Gea’s incredible form this season. The two keepers have had to watch from the sidelines as the Spaniard performs week in and week out for the club.
The keeper’s current contract with United expires in 2023, but his latest comments suggest that he may be open to an extension with the club. The Old Trafford side is sure to jump at the chance to keep him with them for a few more years, given how important he is to the squad.
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Now 31, de Gea is arguably still in the prime of his career as he looks to help United out in their quest for more trophies. The team has been hugely reliant on him to pull out the stops and keep them in games, but the keeper seems to relish the challenge.
We can hope that the Spaniard continues to impress against his former side as well on Wednesday night, as the La Liga champions are sure to pose a threat to United’s defenders in the form of Angel Correa and Joao Felix.
