David De Gea: I Was Motivated By My Critics

David De Gea believes the shaky start he endured in his early days at Old Trafford will hold him in good stead for the future.

The Spaniard signed for Manchester United as a teenager and considering the large fee involved it’s no wonder he struggled settling in to his new surroundings. Now looking like an astute buy, De Gea is confident enough to come out and talk about his tough early days in Manchester and says the criticism he received only made him stronger.

“They were difficult times. It was hard for me,” he told the Sun.

“It wasn’t easy hearing criticism but I tried to use it to motivate me and make stronger.08

“I like to think that from bad things you can derive good results.”

After battling it out with Anders Lindegaard for much of his early United career, De Gea feels it was only natural for him to take time settling in to his new home.

“I was very young. I had arrived at a new club from another country, I was learning a whole new language, I was adapting to a new style of football and new team-mates,” he said.

“That’s a lot to take in and I think it’s natural that it will take a little bit of time to settle.”

Now the club’s number one, the former Atletico Madrid man must have his sights on Alex Stepney’s 433 goalkeeper appearance record, but next on the agenda must be taking advantage of Iker Casillas‘ perilous position at Real Madrid and cement a place in Spain’s World Cup squad.

David De Gea has made on average 2.36 saves per game in the Premier League this season.