David De Gea admits that he was left shocked when he discovered that he had been chosen to start ahead of Iker Casillas for Spain last week.

The Manchester United shot-stopper played the full 90 minutes but was unable to prevent Vicente Del Bosque’s side from slipping to a 1-0 friendly defeat by France.

It’s getting a little weird the way the team’s changed David De Gea

And the 23-year-old revealed his delight at being handed the starting spot.

“I heard the talk before the game that I might start,” De Gea told Cadena Cope. “It shocked me a little when it happened but I’m completely delighted with the decision.

“I do not think a lot about replacing Iker. He is still young for a goalkeeper and can still have plenty of years at the top level in football.

“It’s getting a little weird the way the team’s changed.

“Those players have carried Spain for many years and have been key to this team, but the young people pushing hard will do just as well.”