De Gea: I’m stronger after Real Madrid farce

Matt Stead

David De Gea says his failed summer move to Real Madrid has helped him “mature and grow” as a player at Manchester United this season.

De Gea was within hours of joining Real Madrid in a Spanish transfer deadline-day deal back in September, but missing paperwork scuppered the Spaniard’s move home to Madrid.

After not featuring for the club throughout the transfer saga, De Gea has returned and been in fine form for the Red Devils in goal, helping them to third in the Premier League.

De Gea admits the collapse of his move to the Spanish giants was “difficult”, but that he has recovered and ‘matured’ under Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford so far this season.

“I am a guy who likes to put the bad things and difficult times behind me,” De Gea told Canal Plus.

“I had a lot of tough times and I know what it is. We must move forward, working equally and always strong.

“It’s a learning process that gives football hard moments but that make you mature and grow. These are things that you learn in the world of football. You have to keep working and try to improve in every training session.

“Everyone who works for Manchester respected me, I tried to help and I am very grateful to them.”