David De Gea ready for Manchester United return after win in Spain qualifier

Following his first competitive start since May, David De Gea says he is ready to "enjoy my football" again.

The 24-year-old kept a clean sheet for Spain in a 1-0 win over Macedonia on Tuesday, a result that puts the 2010 World Cup champion two points clear atop Group C of European qualifying.

But he has not played competitively for Manchester United since a 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the end of the last Premier League season, as he waited for a move to Real Madrid. The transfer never happened - paperwork was filed past the deadline last week - and now De Gea is left with the task of winning the start in goal again.

Related: David De Gea in contention for Manchester United recall vs. Liverpool

"I felt good, I really wanted to play," De Gea told reporters after the qualifier. "Now I need to keep working and see if I have some good fortune at my club as well.

"My future will be the same as now: remain calm, keep working and improving. In concrete terms, enjoy my football. I am happy."

In his place at United, Sergio Romero has become the No. 1 goalkeeper. Romero, who signed with the club as a free agent in the summer, has four clean sheets so far, and he thanked manager Louis van Gaal for his support throughout the past few weeks.