De Gea: We Have To Stay Solid

Manchester United conceded less than one goal per game in the first half of this season and David De Gea insists it will have to stay that way in the second half if the Reds are to atone for a disappointing December and remain in the hunt for silverware...

Despite having so many injuries at times this season, is there a sense of frustration at some of the points we have dropped in the Barclays Premier League?
I think that's true. Whenever you are missing key players and are suffering from the amount of injuries that we have been, it always makes it tougher to win games. But that's football and these things happen at this level of competition. You just have to keep on going. The younger lads have come into the side and played very well while the injured players recover but it's a lot to ask for them to replace such experienced players in the Premier League.

One of the major positives of the season so far has been our defensive record – how well-drilled is our defence when it’s at full strength?
You're right, I believe we are defending better than we did last season, and I think that's vital for a team: to not concede many goals and to have a strong defence. We know we have some top quality players up front and that we will score goals. The most important thing for a good side is to have a solid base at the back.

Given the lack of chances teams tend to get at Old Trafford, especially in the Premier League, are home games more a test of your concentration and organisational skills?
That's right. When you are at a club like Manchester United and you are playing at home, the opposition generally do not create too many chances on goal so you have to really keep your concentration throughout the entire game. You can possibly go for long periods without getting a touch of the ball and then suddenly a real opportunity comes along and that's when you need to be one hundred per cent focused and in the zone to be able to make the save.

In general, do you feel a difference in the way away teams play at Old Trafford compared to when you first arrived at the club?
The teams that come here to Old Trafford realise that they are playing against Manchester United, a massive club, and while it can depend upon each individual team, more often than not they come here and sit deep, and look to try and hit us on the break so they can grab a goal. Sometimes that can be difficult, when a team shuts up shop like that because it's harder to be able to create chances. But, at the end of the day, it's not unusual for teams to come to Old Trafford and play in that style.

You're now in your fifth season, so do you feel more responsibility to be a vocal leader?
I've been here for a good while now and there are lots of new faces here, and quite a few youngsters too, and the more years you are here and the more games you play in, you gradually gain more influence and authority within the group. Of course being a goalkeeper I like being able to marshal my defence and the players around me so they can feel calm and relaxed with me right behind them.

Exiting the Champions League was a disappointment for everybody at the club, but how big a consolation can the Europa League provide in 2016?
It's an enjoyable competition to play in. Naturally I have great memories of when I won in the final [with Atletico Madrid in 2010]. But this is Manchester United and while we've been knocked out of the Champions League, we are now in another competition and we will be trying to win it in just the same way. It's a long competition and a bit different to what we are used to playing in, with the games on a Thursday instead of a Tuesday or a Wednesday, and that can change your regime a little bit. But I think we are prepared and we will be having a real go at winning it. We’ve got a tricky tie [against Midtjylland] but then any opponent at this stage of this competition is going to be a difficult one. Obviously, we want to win both legs and hopefully that’s what we’ll do.

You won the Europa League with Atletico after dropping out of the Champions League – is it a fair assumption that the celebrations were still huge, despite the manner in which you entered the competition?
For sure! Whenever you win a trophy and a special trophy at that, you always celebrate together. I was certainly excited to have won it and I celebrated. It's something that I will never forget.

With the challenges ahead for United and Euro 2016 looming for Spain, how excited are you for the year ahead?
Yes, the Euros are always there on the horizon, there is still a long way to go in the season but it will be a special moment when it comes around. Being able to compete in the European Championship with your national team, as I say, will be something special, and I'm looking forward to it coming around.