It’s been 9 years since David De Gea had arrived at Manchester United. On this day in 2011, he signed for United and the rest is history. We’ll look back at the golden memories as David De Gea completes 9 years at Old Trafford. David De Gea has undoubtedly been their best player in this decade and has found a place for himself in the club’s record books.
The Madrid-born Spanish International began his playing career with Atlético Madrid, rising through the academy at the club and made his senior debut in 2009, aged 18. After becoming Atlético’s first-choice goalkeeper, he helped the team win the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2010.
His performances subsequently attracted the attention of Manchester United, and De Gea joined the club in June 2011 for £18.9 million, a British record for a goalkeeper at the time. It feels like yesterday as David De Gea completes 9 years as the Manchester’s no. 1.
It is said that Sir Alex Ferguson missed only two United matches. as a manager. The two instances are one for his son’s wedding and the other time is to scout the brilliant David de Gea.
David de Gea completes 9 years at United: At a Glance
Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, David de Gea has established himself as arguably the best player at the club. He has made 306 appearances with the club, racking up 109 clean sheets and winning a PL title.
He also won an FA Cup, a League Cup, three Community Shields and the UEFA Europa League. He was elected as United’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, the first player in the award’s history to win on four successive occasions for the four consecutive seasons, as well as being included in four consecutive (five in total) PFA Team of the Year sides from 2015 to 2018. He was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI.
On 23 July 2011, De Gea made his first appearance for Manchester United in a friendly against Chicago Fire. On 7 August of the following year, He made his competitive debut for United against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
The year 2017 was the best year of his football career till now. On 17 September 2017, in the fifth match of the Premier League against Everton, De Gea made his 100th overall for Manchester United. On 2 December 2017, in a 3–1 win over Arsenal, De Gea recorded 14 saves as the Premier League record for the greatest number of saves in a single game and he also won the Man of the Match award.
On 18 April 2018, He was selected as a goalkeeper in the PFA Team of the Year for the fifth time as the only Manchester United player. On 11 May 2018, after a 0–0 draw against West Ham, De Gea earned his 18th clean sheet of the season as he secured his first Premier League Golden Glove.
Last year, On 16 September 2019, De Gea had signed a four-year contract renewal, keeping him at the club until at least June 2023. De Gea has effectively made the legendary status his own after getting the Player of the Year for four times. For a goalkeeper, that is a rare achievement. De Gea single-handedly kept the club from embarrassing positions due to a series of world-class performances over many seasons. We hope David does continue to serve the club in the best possible way.
Do you think that David De Gea has gone past his best days? Let us know in the comment section below.
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