'Huge character and mental strength' - De Gea backed by former colleague

  /  autty

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard has praised David De Gea for overcoming a rocky start to life at Old Trafford and become one of the world’s best.

“He got way too much grief in the beginning on the crosses part of his game,” he told the Evening Standard.

“He wasn’t as dodgy as people made him out to be. He just had to adjust his decision making to English football and grow a few kilos.

“David has been a world class goalkeeper since he arrived in England, my first impression of him was he was young, but a huge talent. Much bigger talent than I ever was.

“I think the biggest hurdle he had to overcome was to win respect from team mates, media and fans. He struggled in the beginning.

“But his mental strength to overcome the difficult periods is what has impressed me the most.

“From where he was at the worst in his first season to where he took it and is today - that shows huge character and mental strength.”

The 28-year-old has since gone on to cement himself as one of the Premier League’s finest goalkeepers and has made over 300 appearances for Manchester United, as well as lifting the Premier League title in 2013.

Related: Manchester United De Gea
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