Sir Alex Ferguson has likened new keeper David de Gea to Petr Cech as the young stopper bids to fill the gloves of Edwin Van der Sar and, hopefully, follow in the famous footsteps of Peter Schmeichel at Old Trafford.
So-called experts reckon that the £18m signing from Atletico Madrid, at 20, is too young to handle the responsibility of being United’s new No.1. Sir Alex, who knows a thing or two about players, doesn’t go along with that view.
Fergie insisted: "I went to see Petr Cech when he was at Rennes. I said to myself ‘yeah, he's too young'. But Chelsea bought him at the end of the season for £7m and he's never been out of the team.
"So age doesn't matter when you have the ability of a goalkeeper like Petr Cech or, we know, David De Gea."
Sir Alex added: "David is young, he's quick, he has fantastic presence and composure and his use of the ball is outstanding."
A few facts about United’s new No.1:
De Gea joined Atlético Madrid's youth system at the age of ten, and made his way up through the ranks at the club.
He spent his first professional seasons playing for Atlético Madrid B in Segunda División B. With first choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo away on international duty at the 2009 FIFA Under 20 World Cup, De Gea was called up to the senior side as cover for Roberto.
He made his debut for the Atlético first team at the age of 18 on 30 September 2009, coming on as a substitute after Roberto was injured after 26 minutes of Atlético's Champions League group stage match away to Porto.
De Gea finished the 2009–10 season as the starting 'number one'. He won two man of the match awards along the way, against Athletic Bilbao and Valencia.
He appeared in eight games in the club's victorious UEFA Europa League campaign, including the 2–1 final win against Fulham.
De Gea started 2010–11 in impressive fashion, helping Atlético win the season's UEFA Super Cup. In the 90th minute of the 2–0 win against Internazionale, he saved a Diego Milito penalty kick.
Source: www.givemefootball.com
