David De Gea asked to cut short his summer holiday and start pre-season early to resurrect his Manchester United career, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed.
De Gea's future at Old Trafford was plunged into doubt after he lost his place to Dean Henderson last season and then finished a difficult campaign by missing the decisive penalty in the Europa League final having failed to keep out any of Villarreal's 11 efforts in the shootout.
But De Gea has been in inspired form this season, making a crucial save in the win at Wolves and a penalty stop in injury-time of last weekend's victory at West Ham.
Solskjaer praised the Spaniard and says he is reaping the rewards of putting in extra work over the summer to cement his place as No.1 while Henderson was recovering from Covid.
'He did call me in the summer to end his summer holiday earlier and come back and start his pre-season before,' said Solskjaer. 'He wanted to be ready and be the best possible version of himself.
'Last season was a challenging one. He didn't play as many games because Dean came in and did very well.
'David has really worked and he's focused. Physically and mentally he's better, and when you feel you've done the work and got personal best in a few physical tests, it gives you more confidence and motivation.
'He plays behind a strong back-four but to play in front of David when he's in this form is good for them.'
Henderson returned in Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham with new signing Tom Heaton again on the bench.
But De Gea is set to regain his place when Aston Villa visit Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime, and Solskjaer confirmed that Edinson Cavani will be back in the squad after picking up an injury in a behind-closed-doors game against Burnley during the international break.
It raises the prospect of Cavani playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, and Solskjaer said: 'It's exciting to see those two together, I'm sure that'll be a good partnership.
'We see teams dropping deep against us, not giving space in behind, and they're two boys you'd like to see in that scenario. I can see those two working well together.'
