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

by
Eloy Alonso / Reuters

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.

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