The 22-year-old is in his second season at Old Trafford and claims he has grown both as a player and person since making the €20 million switch from Atletico Madrid

David de Gea claims he has matured as a footballer and person in his two years at Manchester United since making the switch from Atletico Madrid.
The 22-year-old moved to Old Trafford for a fee in the region of €20 million in June 2011, signing as the primary replacement for Edwin van der Sar, who retired that summer.

De Gea initially drew criticism for a number of costly mistakes and doubts were cast over his suitability for the physicality of the Premier League but he has since ousted team-mate Anders Lindegaard as United’s No.1.

“I’ve changed a lot in Manchester,” he told reporters. “I’ve spent two years in their football culture and it makes you change.

“I’m more mature as a person and a player. I’m a very different person from when I arrived in England.”

De Gea has started United’s last 14 Premier League games, keeping seven clean sheets in the process, and has not conceded a league goal for 537 minutes.

He will face one member of the Red Devils’ backline in Patrice Evra on Tuesday evening as France host la Roja in a World Cup 2014 qualifier and De Gea admitted they have shared their opinions ahead of the fixture.

“I have spoken to Evra. There’s always some winding up … he says they will beat us,” he added.

“We will try and do as well as possible, so we can beat them.”