Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea, who is constantly being linked with a move back to his home country, has not always had the best of times at Old Trafford. But he recently revealed the moment that convinced him to stay at Manchester United.
While he may well be one of the best goalkeepers in the game right now, David de Gea’s debut season at Manchester United after arriving from Atletico Madrid was one fraught with criticism and underwhelming performances. Right now he is the one regular top class performer in an under performing team, but back then he was an under performer in a team that was challenging for the title.
The Spaniard recently opened up about that period in his career, admitting that he had entertained thoughts about leaving. But he cited the one moment that made him change his mind about it and stay put, and it came during a match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2012.
“[There were] some moments where you think ‘that’s not my place, I have to come back to Spain’. The weather, the language. There were difficult moments, but I fight,” De Gea told Avtex Sports. [via: goal.com]
“Juan Mata, the free-kick, probably was the point [where] everything changed. I played better, better, better.”
A match to remember
De Gea might be glad to now have his compatriot Juan Mata as his teammate at Manchester United, but the midfield maestro was a force to reckon with in a blue shirt in that game on February 5th, 2012. Apart from a late free kick, Mata had also scored earlier and was a constant threat in that match.
In fact, it was a classic clash for the Red Devils, as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side came from 3-0 down to go back home with an unlikely point. Wayne Rooney converted two spot kicks, while Javier Hernandez scored a late header. Those were good days for the Red Devils, and De Gea will be hoping they come back.
