De Gea: Freidel is my idol

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea wants to copy Tottenham keeper Brad Freidel's long career.

United face Harry Redknapp's men on Sunday, with the champions undefeated against the north London side in 26 matches across all competitions.

Ahead of the meeting with his opposite number at White Hart Lane, the Spaniard said Friedel has always been someone he looks up to.

"I always valued his work and had heard good things about his performances in the Premier League and with the American team," de Gea said.

"I've watched him on video because it is interesting to compare yourself to other keepers."

"He is excellent in one-on-one situations and also when faced with free-kicks. Watching him makes me want to play for United when I'm 40!"

"That's not easy and Friedel deserves great credit still to be playing. Keepers improve as the years go by but, at the moment, I'm still a baby."

The 21-year-old is beginning to show more consistency for United and earned the man of the match award against Norwich City last weekend.

However he has come in for criticism this season and while the former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper admits he needs to work in some areas, such as bossing about more experienced players, he reveals that his manager has been a big help.

"I know I failed in some matches, but that has helped me learn - and the key was the manager's support," de Gea said.

"I am working on my athletic ability every day to improve my agility and jumping. English football is very hard for keepers and I need to be the boss of my own area."

"To order men like Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic around is not easy for a rookie like me."

"But they are very professional and tell me the goalkeeper is the owner of the area and accept what I say."

"Sir Alex is a big influence. He has helped me cope with the pressure. I am not surprised by the pressure and I try and turn this into a positive."

Sumber : Soccerway

Taibi rues Ferguson´s lack of faith

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi has compared his failed spell at Old Trafford to the start made by David de Gea.

Taibi arrived at United in 1999 for 4.5 million pounds, but made just four appearances in his only season with the club, and was moved on after a string of calamitous errors.

Spanish shot-stopper De Gea has also been guilty of several high-profile mistakes following his signing, for a reported fee of 17.6 million.

Taibi can see similarities between his struggle and De Gea's problems, but said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has shown a faith in the newcomer which he was never afforded.

"In a sense I see a little of myself in De Gea, who initially had problems, but now he is being shown more confidence - something which I was not granted," Taibi told Goal.com

"As a result, he is now starting to prove his worth."

Italian Taibi made his debut in a 3-2 win over Liverpool, and was named man of the match after recovering from an early error.

However, a disastrous display against Chelsea saw Taibi concede five goals in a single match.

He left United at the end of the season, returning to Italy with Reggina.

"It was an important, if short, spell for me at Manchester United," he said.

"I learned so much, to live football in the most authentic manner, differently from how one lives in Italy, but I was put on the bench after I'd played only four games. Two of those were excellent but also two were negative."

"Ferguson didn't believe in me enough and gave me no time to prove my worth. I needed a period of acclimatisation, and instead there I was given none."

"I arrived in the August and was immediately picked to play, even though I didn't know the language or my team-mates well."

"The Premier League is unique, totally different from other European leagues. The biggest regret was that I didn't prepare with the rest of the team and I wasn't able to play in the Champions League. Certainly things could have been different."

Sumber : Soccerway

De Gea needs pressure lesson, van der Sar claims

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has told successor David de Gea that he needs to learn how to deal with pressure.

The 41-year-old van der Sar called time on his playing career last season, prompting manager Sir Alex Ferguson to splash out 18 million pounds to bring de Gea to the club.

Since joining from Atletico Madrid, the 20-year-old's performances have come under intense scrutiny, but the Spaniard's veteran predecessor revealed that he will need to become accustomed to the weight of expectation.

"It's always difficult if you're coming into a new club and new league, especially the English one," van der Sar told reporters.

"It's a very demanding one, can be a very tough one."

"He has to deal with that. They paid a lot of money for him and he has to come through that."

The Dutchman also revealed he has been impressed with United's other goalkeeping option Anders Lindegaard, who is currently sidelined through injury.

He added: "I spoke to Anders and he's disappointed of course, that he's injured at the moment because he's really been magnificent."

In addition, van der Sar admitted there is no chance of him coming out of retirement in the future, but insists that he was not surprised by Paul Scholes' recent U-turn.

He said: "I got a few text messages from friends saying, 'What about you?' I'm quite happy at the moment. There's no doubt in my mind."

"I was at Carrington and he was watching a training session and I said, 'So, how do you like it?' He said, 'Not really. I miss it.'"

"He was still there doing his work as an assistant coach with the reserve team so it was probably a little bit easier to get back in."

After enjoying a trophy-filled spell with the club, van der Sar is confident United have what it takes to pip their bitter local rivals Manchester City and claim another Premier League crown.

He added: "I think United have had a reasonably strong, competitive last month."

"I see the qualities United have and the tactics Ferguson can deploy. Hopefully that can be enough for another title."

Sumber : Soccerway