De Gea: I have matured since Manchester United move

The 22-year-old is in his second season at Old Trafford and claims he has grown both as a player and person since making the €20 million switch from Atletico Madrid

David de Gea claims he has matured as a footballer and person in his two years at Manchester United since making the switch from Atletico Madrid.


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The 22-year-old moved to Old Trafford for a fee in the region of €20 million in June 2011, signing as the primary replacement for Edwin van der Sar, who retired that summer.

De Gea initially drew criticism for a number of costly mistakes and doubts were cast over his suitability for the physicality of the Premier League but he has since ousted team-mate Anders Lindegaard as United's No.1.

"I've changed a lot in Manchester,” he told reporters. “I’ve spent two years in their football culture and it makes you change.

"I'm more mature as a person and a player. I'm a very different person from when I arrived in England."

De Gea has started United's last 14 Premier League games, keeping seven clean sheets in the process, and has not conceded a league goal for 537 minutes.

He will face one member of the Red Devils' backline in Patrice Evra on Tuesday evening as France host la Roja in a World Cup 2014 qualifier and De Gea admitted they have shared their opinions ahead of the fixture.

"I have spoken to Evra. There's always some winding up ... he says they will beat us,” he added.

“We will try and do as well as possible, so we can beat them."