De Gea warned to toughen up
February 08, 2012 10:43:05 UK
Edwin van der Sar has told current Manchester United keeper David de Gea to 'toughen up' and deal with the flak the Premier League has to offer.
The Dutchman finally hung up his gloves at the end of last season and has been a keen observer of his Spanish successor at Old Trafford, who has so far struggled to win over his critics after a number of high-profile errors.
It is always difficult if you're coming into a new club and a new league, especially the English one.
Edwin van der Sar
De Gea did show a glimpse of his potential with an outstanding injury-time save to keep out a Juan Mata free-kick against Chelsea last weekend, as Sir Alex Ferguson's team battled back from three goals down to earn an unlikely point.
Van der Sar was consulted by Ferguson on a number of goalkeeper targets and isn't surprised the 21-year-old has found the demands of the English game tough going.
The former Red Devils hero admits: "It is always difficult if you're coming into a new club and a new league, especially the English one. It's a very demanding one, it can be a very tough one.
"David has to deal with that. United have paid a lot of money for him and he has to come through that."
De Gea will feature against Liverpool this Saturday at Old Trafford, with Anders Lindegaard currently out for a month with damaged ankle ligaments.
United are 2.00 to see off their deadly rivals on home turf, with the draw 3.40 and the Reds 4.00 to win at Old Trafford for the first time since September 2009.
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