Manchester United goalkeeper, David de Gea has said he does not see himself playing for anyone other than Manchester United as the long-serving goalkeeper prepares to take on former club Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
De Gea, who signed for Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in 2011 has one more year left on his deal, which expires in 2023 with the club holding the option of an additional 12 months
On Wednesday the 31 year old goalkeeper will face his former club Atletico Madrid I last-16 the first leg which will see him face his boyhood club for the first time since swapping the Spanish capital for Old Trafford in 2011.
De Gea downplays the occasion but he could face a mixed reception from Atletico fans given he almost completed a long-mooted move to rivals Real Madrid in 2015.
But De Gea has expressed his love for United and Manchester as a whole.
“I like the fact I was born in Madrid, but at the end of the day, it’s just a city,” said De Gea, whose contract includes a one-year extension clause.
“Now I feel as if I’m from Manchester; I just feel like anyone else from Manchester. Where you are loved and welcomed is your home.
“I’ve been here for many years and, obviously, anything can happen in life, in the world of football, but honestly I don’t see myself away from Manchester United.
“Of course, I’m going back home [for this tie], I’m going back to the club that gave me the opportunity to be who I am today.
Speaking about his time at Atletico he said;
“At that moment, I was kind of the third-choice goalkeeper (behind Sergio Asenjo and Roberto),” he told UEFA. “I always believed in myself.
“I used to train a lot and just tried to prove: ‘I am here, I may be young but I’m good enough.
“I tried to do my best, and then, it was fortunate for me but unfortunate for Roberto that he got injured and I got the chance to prove that I was good enough.
“When Quique (Sanchez Flores) arrived, the team changed. We won game after game, and there was a moment when Asenjo and I were both available and he chose me.
“I played nearly every game. We made it to the final of the Europa League, and we won it.
“We also made it to the final of the Copa del Rey. We lost, but at least we made it to the final, and then we won the Super Cup against that great Inter side.”
This season David De Gea has made 92 saves, which is the most in the Premier League, with Illan Meslier, the Leeds goalkeeper, second.
