De Gea joined Atlético Madrid's youth system at the age of 10, and made his way up through the ranks at the club. He spent his first professional seasons playing for Atlético Madrid B in Segunda División B. With first-choice goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo away on international duty at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup, De Gea was called up to the senior side as cover for Roberto. He made his debut for the Atlético first-team at the age of 18 on 30 September 2009, coming on as a substitute after Roberto was injured after 26 minutes of Atlético's UEFA Champions’ League group stage match away to Porto; De Gea conceded two late goals as Atlético lost 2–0.The first half of 2011 saw a great deal of speculation regarding how Manchester United would replace their retiring goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar, and much attention focused on De Gea, among others. On May 24 Alex Ferguson claimed that a deal had been done to bring De Gea to Old Trafford, but this was later denied by De Gea's representatives and the Atlético management, with De Gea stating that he would not consider his future until after the UEFA Under-21 Championship. Following Spain's victory, De Gea was spotted in Manchester having a medical with United on 27 June. The next day, he reported that United were making him a contract offer, and the transfer was confirmed on 29 June. In spite of all the talk and hype over the signing of a replacement for Edwin van der sar and possibly a world great in De Gea, there are several reasons why Manchester United should be patient with the young Spaniard.
First of all, goalkeepers are not like the other players on the field and therefore any mistake committed could have huge implications in determining the results of the match as they have the power to keep the team in the game. Besides, Manchester United is not Atlético Madrid where the level of support and pressure is relatively lower. In a great team like Manchester United, one moment you become a hero and the other, you are the worst thing in the world. Remember Ben Foster. After his heroics in the Carling cup finals against Tottenham Hotspurs. Apart from that, the other thing you would mention is the dreadful moments he had with Carlos Tevez when Manchester United played against Manchester City in the pulsating 4 - 3 victory for the devils. I believe that was one of the moments fans of the team literally castrated such a young goalkeeper and subsequently denting his dreams of replacing Van Der Sar and therefore a move to Birmingham City. Though David De Gea might be a very good goalkeeper, like anybody else he could make mistakes. In those moments fans of the team begin to doubt your abilities and capabilities. They suddenly forget about your heroics in their most difficult moments and then start highlighting on your worst moments in the post. Then as a goalkeeper you feel like the whole world is coming down on you.
Emotional instability is a situation which could also happen to any individual no matter how good you are. David De Gea is no exception to the rule. After a lot of pressure from the fans of a very demanding team like Manchester United, the question is; would he be able to exude the confidence with which he carried when he was signed from Atlético Madrid? Well, we wait to see.
