Old Trafford boss ready to pounce for successor to Van der Sar’s goalkeeping crown.
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Manchester United are reportedly leading the chase for Atletico Madrid’s teenage goalkeeping sensation David De Gea according to the Spanish press. Sir Alex Ferguson’s search for a successor to Edwin Van der Sar has led to links to numerous keepers but the precocious 19-year-old has caught the eye with a number of superb performances including winning the Europa League last season.
Despite just 24 league appearances for Atletico, the Spaniard has a growing reputation as one if not the best young goalkeeping prospects in world football. He made his debut in a Champions League group match against Porto in September 2009, aged just 18 and has not looked back since. He has yet to win a full international cap for Spain but with the likes of Pepe Reina and Iker Casillas ahead of him, there is no disgrace in that. De Gea was a member of the Spanish U17 team that won the 2007 European Championship and finished runners-up at the U17 World Cup. The teenager is also now a regular Spanish U21 international.
He has shown he has the nerve for the big occasion despite his tender years which is important to Sir Alex regarding his search for his new Manchester United number one. De Gea played in 8 Europa League games last season including both semi-final legs with Liverpool and the final against Fulham. His performances against English Premier League sides particularly in the semi-final at Anfield greatly impressed Manchester United’s watching scouts and more importantly Sir Alex Ferguson.
The teenager’s performance in the recent European Super Cup 2-0 win over Inter Milan which included a late penalty save against Diego Milito further impressed the decision makers at Old Trafford. The 6 ft 3 keeper is of a similar size and style to Van der Sar and a January move from the Red Devils is expected.
De Gea seems level headed and has dismissed the Manchester United rumours for now. He said, “The important thing is that I have a contract here and I’m an Atletico player until 2013. That’s what matters.”
“I have a contract until 2013, and when the year is out we’ll see if things are going well, and those who have to talk [about an extension] will talk.”
However, Sir Alex is not the type of man to give up the chase easily if the £8m-rated Spaniard is the one he wants.