Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has opened up about his future at Old Trafford ahead of the Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.
Manchester United are set to resume their UEFA Champions League campaign on Wednesday when they lock horns with Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
One player who should be in focus in this encounter is David de Gea. The Manchester United goalkeeper is a product of Atleti’s youth academy and featured in 84 competitive matches for Los Colchoneros before making the move to Old Trafford in 2011.
De Gea was even briefly linked with a return to Atletico Madrid last summer, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted to put his faith in the Spaniard. Ahead of this upcoming encounter against Atleti, the goalkeeper has recently opened up on his future at the club, suggesting he is happy at Old Trafford and doesn’t intend to move anytime soon.
“I like the fact I was born in Madrid, but at the end of the day, it’s just a city,” said De Gea, as quoted by Sky Sports. “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.”
David de Gea has been a part of the Manchester United setup for over a decade now and has played in 473 competitive matches for the club. During his time with the Red Devils, he has won the Premier League title, the FA Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
“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,” insisted De Gea. “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. Everyone wants to play well, we want to win, it is a Champions League 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.”
The Champions League, after all, remains the only tournament de Gea hasn’t won so far during his career at Manchester United. His current deal at Old Trafford is running out soon, but the club do have an option to extend his deal by a further year.
