David De Gea reveals why he is here to stay at Manchester United

David De Gea has said he can’t see himself leaving Manchester United in the near future, and claims he feels as if he’s ‘from Manchester’ after spending over a decade in the city.

The Red Devils No.1 is preparing for a busy week after putting in another impressive display away to Leeds United on Sunday.

De Gea faces another trip this week when he takes on his former side Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

The 31-year-old left Atleti in 2011 to join United, and faces his old club for the first time on Wednesday, but speaking ahead of the game, the Madrid native explained he feels totally at home now in the North West.

“I like the fact I was born in Madrid, but at the end of the day, it’s just a city,” the Spanish international told UEFA. “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. But this is just another match.

“Everyone wants to play well, we want to win, it is a Champions League match. Obviously, I wish Atletico all the best, but I don’t know whether the fact we’re playing them is a good or bad omen. Everyone is going there to win, especially me.”

Madrid memories

De Gea broke into the Atletico team at the age of 19 in the 2009/10 season, and quickly became one of the most tracked teenagers in Europe.

But it was United who managed to lure the then youngster away from his hometown city, and he’s gone on to make a remarkable 473 appearances for the Red Devils.

Speaking about that breakthrough season at Atleti, De Gea said: “At that moment, I was kind of the third-choice goalkeeper [behind Sergio Asenjo and Roberto]. I have 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 [Sánchez 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.”