Fergie Offers De Gea Backing

DAVID DE GEA: REASSURED BY SIR ALEX FERGUSON THAT HE REMAINS NO.1 KEEPER AT OLD TRAFFORD

**United boss backs keeper to prove himself at Old Trafford

ir Alex Ferguson insists David De Gea is still his long-term number one goalkeeper at Manchester United.

An £18million summer signing from Atletico Madrid, De Gea endured a difficult start to life in England but seemed to have put his problems behind him in recent weeks.

However, they resurfaced on New Year's Eve when the 21-year-old was responsible for Blackburn's shock winner at Old Trafford.

That triggered the return of Anders Lindegaard, who had kept clean sheets in the previous two games, for the trip to Newcastle, although it did not do United much good as they crashed to a 3-0 defeat.

However, the Denmark international was blameless for the opening two goals and it is widely expected he will keep his place for Sunday's FA Cup tie at Manchester City.

And despite the short-term issues, Ferguson is certain he got the right man when he chose De Gea to replace Edwin van der Sar.
Long-term prospect

"De Gea is the long-term prospect, there is no question about that," Ferguson said. "Anders has done very well. He has provided tremendous opposition to David. But the potential of David is obvious."

If Lindegaard does play on Sunday it would be his fourth appearance in United's last five matches, but Ferguson does not view that as a permanent transition.

"We have been leaving him (De Gea) out of games quite regularly," he said. "There has been a nice mix of opportunities for Anders Lindegaard, playing in Europe and some of the league games.

"Just because he (De Gea) has lost two bad goals against Blackburn doesn't mean that all of a sudden we are neglecting that part of both of them playing."


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