David De Gea Relishes Busy Winter

David De Gea is viewing Manchester United’s busy upcoming schedule as the ideal opportunity to maintain the club’s positive form.

While the goalkeeper is still adapting to the hectic winter run of fixtures that is absent in the Spanish game, the former Atletico Madrid stopper insists he relishes this period of the season and is looking at it as a chance to build on the Reds’ unbeaten run of seven matches and to entertain supporters who are enjoying Christmas breaks.

“It’s all about keeping this good run going," De Gea told MUTV. "Both as an individual and as a team and keeping going with good results.

“It’s a bit strange for all of us who are coming here from other leagues where we’ve been used to having a winter or at least a Christmas and New Year break. At the same time, these are the fixtures you really enjoy. It’s a good period in the season and these games are always exciting.

“You’re used to spending your holiday time with your own family, but we appreciate it’s really important for the people who are watching the games and have been working all year round. It’s nice for them to be able to have a rest and to enjoy some exciting football.”

The Boxing Day clash against Newcastle United in 2012 is still fresh in the memory of De Gea, who donned United’s gloves for the entertaining 4-3 win at Old Trafford.

“I do remember the game – it was very, very exciting,” he recalled. “I’m still enjoying my football in exactly the same way as I was from day one, the first game I played for this club.

“This one is going to be a very, very big game. It's very important for us. It’s an exciting fixture. I’m looking forward to the game. We’re at home, so we have got the backing of our fans as usual. It’s really vital that we get the three points and keep this run going because I think we’re in some decent form at the moment.”