​Manchester United goalkeeper turns 27-years-old today and the Spanish first choice goalkeeper spoke on his special day and revealed that he could have had a very different career from the one he has now.





The star goalkeeper used to combine playing as a forward as well as a goalkeeper before choosing one option that he thought was the best for him, which was goalkeeping.





The choice indeed proved to be a perfect choice that defined his life and his extravagant ability with his ball control, pass accuracy and saves from his feet is simply because he was an outfield player in his youth.









Speaking to ​United Review, birthday boy De Gea said, "I played up front at school in Madrid, then at a soccer school there too. I used to combine the two roles and play as a striker and then in goal. But, in the end, I realised I was a better keeper."





De Gea also spoke about the saves he makes with his feet and calls it a trait. He says, "It's pure instinct. It's something you do automatically. It's not like you think to yourself: 'I'm going to use my feet.' Its just a reaction and there are times when the ball is coming at you very close to your body and there's not enough time to get down."





He concluded by stati, "I've always been decent with my feet so it's another skill you can call upon. [As I said], as a kid, I used to play out of goal, so my touch isn't too bad."





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