De Gea's improved United form is down to English lessons

• zocoss

  8 Mar 12, 11:07

  It's good to talk! De Gea's improved United form is down to English lessons

  

  Learning his lesson: David de Gea is taking English classes

   

   

   

  David de Gea insists he is finally coming to terms with the demands of life as Manchester United's No 1 - and it's all down to learning English.

  The young Spaniard is starting to win acclaim for his performances between the posts following a shaky start to life in England.

  The 21-year-old, who joined United last summer for £18million from Atletico Madrid, was rested for a period in January.

  But an injury to rival Anders Lindegaard provided him a fast-track return to United's starting XI and the keeper believes his better grasp of English is helping him improve game after game.

  'I’m learning English little by little,' he said.

  'I’m already able to give more instructions to the defence. People in England are demanding.'
  

   

  Sir Alex Ferguson revealed last week he wants the keeper to bulk up in a further bid to help him adjust to the physical demands of the Premier League and De Gea admits he has had to become more aggressive.
  

  'In England I’ve learnt to concentrate for the whole match,' he added.
  

  'People can score from any situation.

   

  

  Good to talk: De Gea has hailed boss Sir Alex Ferguson as a 'great manager'

   

   

  'I’m also learning to be more aggressive because players challenge you hard. If I don’t, I’ll get hurt.

  'I’ve had to change the way I come for crosses. A keeper in England has to be physical with the strikers.'

  De Gea also paid tribute to Ferguson, hailing the the 70-year-old Old Trafford boss as a 'great manager'.

  'There’s a lot of pressure on a Manchester United keeper but it is going well,' he said.

  'I try to stay calm so it doesn’t affect me. Ferguson is almost always with us and he often eats with the players too. He’s a great manager and few know about football like he does.'

  And De Gea revealed how criticism thrown in his direction at the start of the season has only served to toughen him up.

  'It encouraged me to keep fighting and keep working hard. The important thing is not to let yourself get down because you can turn it around,' he said.

  'Through hard work, I have waited for my chance and grabbed it. Fortunately now I am showing some good form. I hope this can continue right the way through until the end of the campaign.'
  

   

  

  Happy days: De Gea says he is enjoying life at Manchester United