David is Goliath.

The recent criticism that David de Gea has been under may be a bit too harsh, although it is understandable he’d be subjected to that given that he signed up for Manchester United from Athletico Madrid only in June. With respect to the Madrid outfit, playing at United only maximizes a player’s strengths and attributes just as much as it highlights his frailties. The expectation, the pressure and in his case, succeeding not just United’s but the World’s all time greats in goal, increases ten fold.

Whether he is ready for it, watching his last two games is no indication of that whatsoever. It will only be towards the end of this season as to when he should really be judged. Nevertheless, given United’s stature and being one of the World’s most popular teams, he will need to up his game tremendously.

While only 20 years of age, he does have the best of his years ahead of him. Let’s not forget he’s only played two games on English soil and to be so critical of him after only so little time is a bit unwarranted.

An important point to note is that it’s not only a goalkeeper’s position that’s he’s filling, but also Edwin Van Der Sar’s – and that’s added pressure to deal with. That’s what he signed up for and moving away form Athletico after only two competitive seasons is a brave move on his part. That alone highlights his ambitions and confidence to succeed not just Van Der Sar, but also at one of the world’s most famous and successful clubs.

I feel like a million bucks... x 18.3

Like any young player needs time and room for improvement, so does De Gea. Evidently talented, he needs to be given time to settle in unlike Young and Jones who are English and have played in the League prior to their arrivals to Manchester United. That’s something people tend to overlook when it comes to the Spaniard.

His first two games were away from Old Trafford and considering that his next two opponents are not only Tottenham Hotspurs and Arsenal, those are also significant games being played at home – a support from the home crowd that he will be looking forward to. What a better way to make your Old Trafford bow than to face two of London’s top teams in quick succession with a support renowned for its patience with their players.

Judging from the West Brom game, while United’s defense looked rather reasonable, unlike last season’s back four and Van Der Sar’s combined organization, you can see the lack of communication between the new goalkeeper and defenders. While it’s in plain sight for opponents to see that, the language barrier will prove to be a weak point in United’s armour, temporarily at least, as they start this season with a team that’s currently under transition.

A plus point for the Red Devils is De Gea would’ve made a few friends in United’s defense a lot quicker than otherwise. Patrice Evra speaks a bit of Spanish and that’s a start. Rafael, on the other hand at most times is used as a translator between United’s goalkeeping coach Eric Steele and De Gea.

So while he does take his English lessons as United would have planned that out first as one of his primary tasks, De Gea also can also form some understanding with his two wing-backs with Steele also taking Spanish classes. That should be encouraging enough for the young keeper to adjust to the new language. In addition to Rafael and Evra, Antonio Valencia, Fabio and Javier Hernandez who are still to return, will make life a little simpler for De Gea.

It's gonna be alright David... Just hang in there...

What looks most comforting for United is Sir Alex’s protection of his players. It’s not easy stepping into his predecessor’s boots and hence any mistake made by the young keeper will be magnified thousand fold. That’s where Ferguson steps in to protect his players, for without the support of the gaffer, De Gea would quite easily succumb to the media’s devastating power of criticism. 

Instead of benching his new 18 million pound recruit which would be counter-productive, Ferguson in all likelihood, will give him more game time to get accustomed to the rigours or the Premiership, and the time to deal with the expectations for it’s on the pitch where he can silence his critics.

In fact, taking Van Der Sar and De Gea’s stats from last season’s campaign, fans may be rest assured that with such promise, skill, temperament and more importantly with age on his side, critics who have already chalked off the young Spaniard may cast away some of their premature doubts with some phenomenal displays at Athletico Madrid last season. While the two leagues are in every way very different and not to undermine Van Der Sar’s contribution to United’s title winning season last year, the stats bode well for De Gea’s confidence nevertheless.

He’s a got a temperament about him in tight situations and has a great nerve when it comes to a one on one situation. He’s also got good judgment when it comes to spot Kicks and he did save one crucial penalty last year against Inter Milan’s Diego Milito in the UEFA Super Cup. He also excelled tremendously well in this year’s winning U-21 European Football Championship with Spain.

If David De Gea could rise up to the occasion at Athletico Madrid and perform consistently well for two years, there’s no reason why he can’t step up his game at United and be just as important to last years Premier League Champions as Van Der Sar was for six years.  Granted he is very young, but that’s what United know how to do best – and that is to groom young players.