De Gea: United's Team Spirit Still Strong

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea insists the team’s resolve is stronger than ever going into the festive fixtures period.

The Reds are without a win in five games but De Gea feels that, far from affecting morale, that run has brought the players closer together and increased the determination to put things right.

Norwich City are United’s next opponents on Saturday at Old Trafford, before a trip to Stoke City on Boxing Day and a home clash against a Chelsea team under new management on 28 December.

De Gea told MUTV: "When you’re going through tough times, that’s when you become a very close unit and that is what we are.

"We have a terrific spirit in the dressing room, we’re all very much together and we’re all pulling in the same direction to do the very best we can for the club.

"It's been a difficult time for us with some disappointing results but we'll go forward with confidence and with our fans by our side, always trying to help us. We have to improve, win our matches and try to pick things up."

United have suffered bad luck with injuries in recent weeks, with Jesse Lingard and Paddy McNair the latest players to be forced off during last weekend’s defeat at Bournemouth.

"We’ve been really unlucky in that respect," De Gea said. "We’ve picked up lots of injuries to really important players. But thankfully, they are slowly returning one by one, which will give us a very strong side.

"We need to continue to improve, to play better and to win matches. We will keep going."