Smalling: De Gea will come good

19 August 2011 18:30
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has been backed to prove himself to the whole world following a tough start at Old Trafford.[LNB] The £18million capture from Atletico Madrid this summer has stepped into the firing line after errors made in the Community Shield win over Manchester City and last Sunday's Barclays Premier League opening victory at West Brom.[LNB]The criticism appears to have been harsh on the 20-year-old, with some fans on forums suggesting he should now be dropped ahead of Monday's visit of Tottenham.[LNB]United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who has twice had to defend the young Spaniard, has no intention of doing so as he has every faith in De Gea.[LNB]Defender Chris Smalling, who will operate at right-back against Tottenham, has also launched a passionate defence of the goalkeeper.[LNB]"Some of the media criticism this week has been a bit judgmental given he has only played a couple of games for us," said Smalling.[LNB]"The manager has obviously put a lot of faith in him by making him first choice, and I think he is going to be a great goalkeeper for us. A real bonus.[LNB]"He has been training really well. We have played a few small-sided games this week and you could see his agility, his kicking ability.[LNB]"He is showing his quality, and it is only a matter of time until the whole world sees it too."[LNB]Smalling concedes it was always going to take time for De Gea to settle, in particular in coming to a foreign country and learning a new language.[LNB]"It's all a learning curve and I think a lot of the foreign lads take time to get used to it," added Smalling.[LNB]"He's learning English, that's coming along, but a lot of the lads speak Spanish anyway.[LNB]"He is slowly getting into the groove, and I'm sure there are good things to come from him."[LNB]

Source: Team_Talk