David De Gea’s Inside United interview on life on and off the pitch


We ask David what his proudest moment on the pitch in his long United career is, and he
also points to his bond with the fans and times he has captained the club as sources of pride…

“Lifting our last Premier League trophy would be top. It was amazing for me. There have been lots of good times but I think that’s the most special.

“Right from day one, the fans have been right behind me. It’s amazing how much love they’ve shown me since arriving at the club and obviously I miss them a great deal at Old Trafford and away from home. Having them there obviously helps you a lot and at the moment we have to play without fans, but there’s no doubt that we have some of
the best fans in world.

“I arrived at a huge club like Manchester United and my aim overall was to play games and to leave my mark on the club and obviously to win silverware, to win big things, which is what everyone at this club wants and what this club deserves, but more than anything it was to play and play lots of games for this club, which is what I enjoy doing most – and to win trophies.

“I’ve been here for many years, played many games and I’ve gained lots of experience here
at the club. Now seeing players here that are so young, it’s different to when I arrived. It was the other way around back then.

“It always fills you with pride when you get the chance to captain this club but whether I’m captain or not, I always try to help the team in any way I can by putting in 100 per cent in training, being an example to the young players and always being ready, which is important, for the manager when he makes his decision and to help the team in whatever way I can.”

INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL

David on playing for Spain…

“It’s another responsibility you have. When the international break comes around you have
a responsibility to play for your country at the top level. They are international fixtures, you’re competing for your national team and your country and of course there’s more pressure. Whether you’re playing here for a big club or for your national team there’s always that pressure. But obviously you enjoy it at the same time. You feel pride in being able to play for your country and playing for Spain is wonderful. I been fortunate
for many years to keep making the squad and I’m delighted to have done so.”

WISDOM

What would the David of today say to the 20-year-old David who was on the plane flying
off to start a new career at Manchester United?

“I’d tell him to prepare himself for what’s coming! To be ready for the good times but also the tough, hard times. To be mentally strong, which is key, and enjoy it and believe in yourself like I believed in myself back then and more than anything, it would be that. To prepare himself for what’s coming.

(IU: is there part of you that would like to be that young again and do it all again?)

“No, the years have gone by. There have been good times and bad times but I’m doing well now, I’m very happy. I’m really content with everything I have and all that I have achieved, and I’m looking forward to the future, which will hopefully bring many more
years. Being at a club like this and at this level for so many years isn’t easy, so I’m proud of that – and bring on some more!”

THE FUTURE

Now he has turned 30 – still not that old for a goalkeeper, with many playing years head –
we ask David what ambitions he still holds…

“Well, the objectives are the same as when I arrived. The ones I mentioned before: to play as many games as I can for this club, as it’s always wonderful to wear this badge on my chest, and the aim is to win big things. Obviously, there are some wonderful objectives and we have to go for them, try to win a Premier League, to win a Champions League and go back to being a team that wins things. And to play lots of games so that in future years when people look back, they’ll remember that Spanish goalkeeper who was at the club for
many years.”



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