David De Gea has insisted he is happy at Manchester United and has a strong relationship with manager Louis van Gaal despite a summer of uncertainty over his future.
The keeper was dropped by his manager at the start of the season and saw his proposed deadline day move to Real Madrid collapse at the last minute.
The Spain international has since signed a new four-year contract with the Red Devils which keeps him at Old Trafford until 2019, and the United number one says he is delighted he made that decision.
“I felt in that moment that to extend my contract was the best thing to do,” De Gea told ESPN.
“I’m really happy now, at one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I feel loved by the fans.
“Nobody let me down or disappointed me – these are things that happen. You must look forward, and I am very happy now.”
De Gea has started 12 of United’s 13 matches since returning to the side and has played an integral part in the Red Devils’ defence, which has not conceded for 555 minutes.
The keeper has kept four consecutive clean sheets and claims he holds no grudges with Van Gaal, even if their relationship is not friendly.
“From the first day I came back, after all that happened, he [Van Gaal] gave me a lot of confidence, told me I would play, to relax and keep doing what I had done before,” he said.
“We have a normal relationship between a coach and player. We both want what is best for the club.
“It is hard to be friends with any coach – you have a lot of respect for him, but it is difficult to be their friend. But he is a good person.
“He is a joker, he makes a lot of jokes. Now and again [he] likes to do something so that there is a good mood.
“But we talk mostly about football. From outside, you see a person with a lot of character, which is what he is.”
De Gea is currently on international duty with Spain and could start in their friendly against England tonight in Alicante.
United return to Premier League action on Saturday November 21 when they face Watford at Vicarage Road.
Image courtesy of FIFA, via Youtube, with thanks
