In the mind of former Manchester United star Clayton Blackmore, David De Gea has already proved he's a better goalkeeper than club legend Peter Schmeichel.

Blackmore was playing alongside Schmeichel during the two seasons he was crowned the best goalkeeper in the world.

'The Great Dane' accumulated over 350 appearances for United, and won five Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Asked if De Gea could one day eclipse Schmeichel, Blackmore went one step further.

"De Gea is better than him," he told Tribalfootball.

"For me as an overall goalkeeper, I think De Gea is the best I've seen. He's mobile, he's agile, and he's still one of the only keepers who catches the ball.

"Peter made a lot of mistakes that people don't remember. But he made some fantastic saves as well. At the time when we were playing with Peter he was the best in the world."

After overcoming some initial growing pains, De Gea has established himself as the most important player at the club.

He has won numerous individual accolades, including being named United's Player of the Year three years on the trot between 2013 and 2016.

The 27-year-old is out of contract at the end of the next season, but talks over an extension with United have begun.

Real Madrid came close to bringing him back to the Spanish capital in 2015 and still hold a vested interest in the shot-stopper.