'Brilliant Future' For De Gea

Spanish football legend Emilio Butragueno believes David De Gea can become a top goalkeeper for his country but must appreciate the competition for the national-team jersey.

The United star, who has kept five consecutive clean sheets in the Barclays Premier League and picked up the Player of the Month award for February, has sparkled as the Reds have built up a 15-point lead in the table.

By performing well in both legs of the Champions League tie against Real Madrid, the former Atletico Madrid No1 has clearly impressed those in his homeland as well with Spain coach Vicente del Bosque drafting the 22-year-old into his squad for the World Cup qualifiers.

As Real Madrid's Iker Casillas is still injured, De Gea has been included along with Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina for the matches against Finland and Patrice Evra's France.

Butragueno, who won 65 caps for his country and scored 26 goals, spoke to ManUtd.com at the recent Red Heart United press conference at Old Trafford, ahead of the Legends fixture on 2 June between United and Real Madrid.

"There are fantastic Spanish goalkeepers now," he opined. "Casillas, Valdes and Reina.

"De Gea has a brilliant future of course but the competition at the moment is fierce for that position. He is very young for a goalkeeper but his career has been fantastic so far."

When asked if it was a brave move by the Reds' No1 to leave the Spanish capital at a young age in order to join United, Butragueno replied: "Well, it's been a challenge but I think he was prepared and I think it is going to be very positive for his career."