Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is convinced his counterpart David de Gea will be a success at Manchester United despite an unconvincing start to life in England.
De Gea was chosen to replace the retired Edwin van der Sar earlier this summer by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, at a reported cost of £18million, which makes him the second-most expensive keeper in history behind Gianluigi Buffon.
Despite arriving in Manchester with a growing reputation following his exploits with Atletico Madrid and the Spain U-21 team, De Gea has so far struggled to impress for the Red Devils.
While he marked his debut with a Community Shield winners' medal against Manchester City, he almost cost United the game after failing to react in time to a speculative shot by Edin Dzeko, and was also partially at fault for Joleon Lescott's opener.
And he backed up on that less-than-impressive performance with another mistake the following week against West Brom last Sunday, when he allowed a tame shot by Shane Long to slip under his arm.
However, it must be noted that De Gea did produce a number of good saves in those games, and Reina believes the critics have been too hasty in deeming the 20-year-old as a potential failure.
"It is typical that the critics smell blood when there is a mistake," Reina told Spanish radio station COPE.
Furthermore, Reina believes Ferguson's keen eye for talent means there is reason to believe De Gea will eventually come good.
"But if Mr Ferguson has put his trust in him [De Gea] by signing him, then it seems logical that he will settle and be a quality signing for them."
Such kinds words are likely to come as a huge boost to De Gea, especially when coming from an established custodian like Reina, who won the Barclays Golden Glove in three consecutive seasons.
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De Gea was chosen to replace the retired Edwin van der Sar earlier this summer by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, at a reported cost of £18million, which makes him the second-most expensive keeper in history behind Gianluigi Buffon.
Despite arriving in Manchester with a growing reputation following his exploits with Atletico Madrid and the Spain U-21 team, De Gea has so far struggled to impress for the Red Devils.
While he marked his debut with a Community Shield winners' medal against Manchester City, he almost cost United the game after failing to react in time to a speculative shot by Edin Dzeko, and was also partially at fault for Joleon Lescott's opener.
And he backed up on that less-than-impressive performance with another mistake the following week against West Brom last Sunday, when he allowed a tame shot by Shane Long to slip under his arm.
However, it must be noted that De Gea did produce a number of good saves in those games, and Reina believes the critics have been too hasty in deeming the 20-year-old as a potential failure.
"It is typical that the critics smell blood when there is a mistake," Reina told Spanish radio station COPE.
Furthermore, Reina believes Ferguson's keen eye for talent means there is reason to believe De Gea will eventually come good.
"But if Mr Ferguson has put his trust in him [De Gea] by signing him, then it seems logical that he will settle and be a quality signing for them."
Such kinds words are likely to come as a huge boost to De Gea, especially when coming from an established custodian like Reina, who won the Barclays Golden Glove in three consecutive seasons.
more..
