Juan Mata: David De Gea could become one of the world’s best

Juan Mata and Javier Hernandez have offered their backing to David de Gea, insisting the Spanish stopper could easily go on to become the best goalkeeper in the world.

De Gea is preparing for his first major international tournament after being selected in Spain’s World Cup squad, benefiting from Victor Valdes’ knee injury to line up alongside Iker Casillas and Pepe Reina as the third ‘keeper in Brazil this summer.

Both Mata and Hernandez believe that he is more than worthy of his place in that side and feel that De Gea is capable of being deemed the best in the world in his position in the near future.

Mata told MUTV, “He’s a top, top goalkeeper who I think will give us a lot of good games and some trophies in the future.

“He’s a very, very good goalkeeper who can make the difference and win games. That is what I think a goalkeeper needs to do.

“For me, he’s already one of the best goalkeepers in the world and with his age and being at the club, I think he can be the best.”

Hernandez echoed the sentiments of his Spanish colleague, telling United’s mouthpiece station, “He has been brilliant this season.

“David’s form is one of the highlights of the year. He’s improving.

“When he came here, he received a lot of criticism and had bad moments, but now he’s proved himself to all the people that never trusted him.

“Fore me, he can be one of the best goalkeepers in the world, not only the Premier League. He’s proving himself game-by-game and we wanted him to keep that level for the next year, five years and ten years.

“He’s going to be a very important player for this club.”

David De Gea kept 12 clean sheets for Manchester United this season, making 1.98 saves for every goal conceded.