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Andy Cole: Manchester United need David de Gea

Andy Cole gives his verdict on the David de Gea transfer saga.

I’m delighted that David de Gea has stayed at Old Trafford. It’s not what he wanted, but as he’s always been nothing but professional, I’m sure he’ll be fine in playing for the club again. He’s one of the best two goalkeepers in the world and that’s the bottom line. If you want to win football matches then you want him in your team.

United would have got a little drink had he left for Madrid but De Gea’s worth keeping, even if he leaves on a free transfer. Look at it another way; he’ll have cost £17 million for five years if he goes next summer.

I know David and know a lot of people who know him too. I’ve never heard any of them say a bad word against him. Not that he’s greedy or snidey, nor argumentative or unprofessional. He never said that he didn’t want to play for Manchester United; it’s all good. And he’s a brilliant goalkeeper who was probably worth 12-15 points for United last season, when he was rightly voted player of the season. Just as he was the season before.

Without him, United would not have got in the Champions League. With him, United can be a significantly better side this season. Not playing him would make no sense to anyone. He’s no good to United as a number two or playing in the under-21s. Get him in the team because United need him.

De Gea’s contract situation wasn’t ideal and it dragged on. There’ll be two sides and maybe United can learn when a player gets into the last 18 months of his contract, though it’s not always so simple if a player is adamant they’re leaving.

That’s all in the past and United need to look forward. De Gea has presence, he has those long arms which see him keep the ball out of that top bin. He saves the ball with his feet, he kicks strongly, he distributes quickly and well, he starts attacks. He’s also physically far more impressive than when he came from Atletico Madrid in 2011. Eric Steele, the former goalkeeping coach, did a lot of work building him up to a decent weight and it paid off. There’s no way he’s going to get bullied now, he looks imposing.

I go to a lot of United games and the fans have been supportive of him. They never turned on him, unlike some keyboard warriors I’ve seen. But what has David done wrong? He wants to play for Real Madrid, just like Cristiano (Ronaldo) did. He was applauded on his way out and that’s what should happen when David eventually leaves because he’s been a brilliant goalkeeper. The Latin lads want to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, just as players from other parts of the world might want to play for Manchester United. The club know that when they sign them.

David is a stable figure and United need that in a shifting team which has seen so many changes. If you’re a defender and you have a great and in-form ’keeper behind you then that lifts your confidence. Same for the rest of the team. I know because I had it with Peter Schmeichel and we won the European Cup. The United lads in 2008 had it with Edwin van der Sar. And if you’re a striker playing against an exceptional ‘keeper, you know it’s going to take something extra special to beat him.

My opinion on David is clear, but I should also mention United’s other keepers. Sam Johnstone is good enough to be playing first-team football at the Championship level or above. I wish Anders Lindegaard well, too, at West Brom. And his new teammate, Jonny Evans.

Sergio Romero didn’t expect to be United’s number one, so hopefully he can settle and be a good back up. Victor Valdes was brilliant at Barcelona. He was on his way out of United and then he wasn’t. It was all a bit of a circus as the transfer window came to a close and I hope everything at United calms down now.

The team have not impressed so far this season and it’s really important for them to click into gear, to find a pattern of play which suits United, which creates goals and wins football matches. There will be hiccups along the way with so many new players, but matches are not won just because a team has the majority of possession. United need to be quicker, to be more creative and to entertain fans better than they have so far.

Potentially exciting players like Memphis Depay need to turn it on in the league and repeat the form we saw against Club Brugge. I hope that another new signing Antony Martial is as exciting as the club hope he’ll be.

United have spent a lot of money in the last year with limited success so far. The ingredients are there for them to be a winning football team. Now make it happen, starting with De Gea as the number one.