De Gea: Break Would benefit English Teams

David De Gea says English teams may be at a disadvantage in the UEFA Champions League due to the winter break in other countries but he is convinced Manchester United have the quality to challenge for the trophy.

The Spain no.1 has had a fine start to the season and pulled off a miraculous save from Stoke City's Jese during Saturday's 2-2 draw in the Premier League. Ahead of the visit of Basel to Old Trafford on Tuesday, the Reds goalkeeper faced the media at the Aon Training Complex.

When asked if there is a gap between the top sides in his homeland, particularly holders Real Madrid, and the rest of the opposition in the competition, he stressed this was not necessarily the case.

"I don't know," he replied. "There are really strong teams in England and really strong teams in Spain but it's true, in England, we normally never have a break in December and January. These are tough moments for English teams, when we have many games, and I think it is a bit difficult to be ready for the Champions League.

"But I think the level is more or the less the same. It's true now the Spanish teams are in a good moment but it's also true in England and especially Manchester United are one of the best teams in the world."

De Gea was asked whether he was bothered about the accolade of being the best goalkeeper in the world, with several names jostling for that honour.

"I always want to be the best," he said. "I train hard to improve every day, in every training [session], so I work really hard to be the best keeper in the world. I don't know who is the best at the moment but this is what I want - to be the best.

"All three keepers at United - Sergio [Romero], Joel [Pereira] and me - train really hard to be the player who is on the pitch to play in the games. Now I feel really strong, really confident. Everyone trains hard to be in the XI and that's it."

The upcoming match against Basel, in which De Gea will keep his starting place ahead of Romero, promises to be a special occasion under the floodlights at Old Trafford.

"I think Basel are a strong team, a good team," he added. "It's another step to play at the highest level of the Champions League with the best teams in Europe. Of course, we are really motivated to play in the Champions League and to try to win every game, even though we know it will be difficult."