New Player Review #3 - David de Gea

David with SAF as he signs for Man Utd - guardian.co.uk

Date of Birth: 07/11/1990 (Age 20)
Place of Birth: Madrid
Professional Debut: 30/09/09 (vs Porto)
Nationality: Spanish
International Caps: 15 @ U17's
                               15 @ U19's
                                 1 @ U20's
                                13@ U21's

Joined Manchester United: 01/07/2011
Signed From: Athlético Madrid
Transfer Fee: Undisclosed (estimated £17-18million)
Squad Number: 1
Position: Goalkeeper

After all the speculation of Rene Adler falling through the next name on the list seemed to be David de Gea and as far as Sir Alex was concerned it was perhaps the only name on the list. There never seemed to be any substance in claims of any other keepers, the next closest name was Pepe Reina from the scousers which was ridiculous altogether. It would not have been worth the aggro and the price would have be insanely inflated.

In the end Ferguson seems to have had a punt on the young Spanish keeper who has be favoured in the national youth sides over the past number of years gaining an impressive 44 caps at this level. Though I fear it could be a while before he earns his first senior cap due to the stranglehold on the positions Iker Casillas has, and only being 30 himself, he may continue to hold the senior Spanish goalkeeper position for many seasons to come. Even if Casillas does lose favour David will then have to contend with Victor Valdes (29) and Pepe Reina (28).

Hopefully coming to a club such as Man Utd can help spring board him towards the senior position though as the experience he would gain would be invaluable, having already won the U17 and U21 European Championships with his country I'm sure his aim will be to continue this pattern into his senior career. But what may be Spain's loss could be Utd's gain as de Gea can focus solely on his club career cementing himself in-between the sticks at Old Trafford for many years to come.

de Gea at his first training session with the squad - manutd.com

One thing we can be thankful for is that after watching the training session @nickcoppack reports

"Just watched #mufc train in Portland. Stuck with the GKs - de Gea showed good handling. He's a catcher not a puncher. Phew."

Already on of the highest rated keepers in Europe and can only improve. If he fills his potential he could challenge records set by Schmeichel and Van der Sar at Man Utd.

Rating: Exciting potential. Good signing.

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