09 February,2012 11:40 AM IST | | ANI
Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has said he is determined to prove his critics wrong and would like to emulate United goalkeeping great Peter Schmeichel.
The Spaniard has had his share of cynics since moving from Atletico Madrid to Old Trafford at the start of the season for 18.3 million pounds. But a spectacular last-minute save from Juan Mata's free kick at Stamford Bridge last Sunday earned him plaudits.
De Gea now intends to make history with Manchester United and earn the respect that the great Schmeichel commanded in his heydays.
"I have every intention of spending many years at Manchester United. I want to go on to become a great United keeper and to earn and deserve respect. I want to help United make history," The Sun quoted De Gea, as saying. He hailed Schmeichel as a role model for any goalkeeper. "Peter Schmeichel was legendary and a role model for any keeper," he added.
De Gea also admitted that the Spanish La Liga and the English Premier League were Europe's two top football leagues.
"I think it is fair to say La Liga and the Premier League are the two best leagues in the world. But it's well known the style of play here is rather more physical and, as a goalkeeper, you have to be right on it. You have to be attentive all through the match," De Gea said.
"The players coming at you can shoot from any angle and from distance. You need to be aware you might get a shot from distance at any time," he added.
"Having said that, there are a lot of crosses from the sides, a lot of high balls and aerial play. So you have to be able to get in there and block, interfere and stop shots being taken," De Gea said.
