By Sports Correspondents Charlotte Duncker & Jamie Holt
Sir Bobby Charlton has leapt to the defence of new Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea after two nervy performances for the Premier League Champions.
De Gea, 20, who made his Premier League debut on Sunday for United came under much scrutiny from the fans and media after a second successive unconvincing display.
Charlton explained that it would be difficult for the U21 Spanish international coming to a strange city where he doesn’t speak the language but insisted that he has confidence in the goalkeeper.
He said: “I’m not concerned. He’s a great goalkeeper, we knew that about him before he came here.”
The Spaniard signed for United from Athletico Madrid for £18m pounds to replace Edwin Van der Sar, but after his initial performances some fans have compared him to Massimo Taibi who failed to impress at Old Trafford.
Charlton remains confident that De Gea will prove his critics wrong and could become one of the greats at the Theatre of Dreams.
“Alex will work his magic and the staff will work their magic and he will become one of the great players by the end of this year,” he said.
De Gea is just one of the young players who Sir Alex Ferguson has given a chance to, with players like Tom Cleverley, Daniel Welbeck and Jonny Evans all being given their opportunity to stake a claim at a first team spot.
Charlton believes that Ferguson shocked some people with his young team selection for the Community Shield match against Manchester City but his decision paid off with United emerging victorious.
Speaking of Ferguson’s trust in his young team Charlton said: “One thing to remember, Alex is always right.”
More related stories:
VIDEO: Former United legend Sir Bobby Charlton and Michael Vaughan dance in Manchester
Sir Bobby Charlton and Michael Vaughan say riots ‘must never happen again’
Manchester football matches go ahead despite riots, after cancellations in London and West Midlands
