Man Utd flop Taibi compares himself to de Gea

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Massimo Taibi has compared the early stages of his Old Trafford career to that of new gloveman David de Gea.

The young Spaniard has come under fire at stages in his debut season in England and Taibi, who made just four Premier League appearances in his only season with the Red Devils in 1999/2000, sees himself in de Gea.

"In a sense I see a little of myself in de Gea, who initially had problems, but now he is being shown more confidence - something which I was not granted,” he told Goal.com.

"As a result, he is now starting to prove his worth.”

And despite his failed spell at United, ex-Italian keeper Taibi said he learned plenty of lessons from his short time in England.

“It was an important, if short, spell for me at Manchester United," he added.

"I learned so much, to live football in the most authentic manner, differently from how one lives in Italy, but I was put on the bench after I’d played only four games. Two of those were excellent but also two were negative.

"(Sir Alex) Ferguson didn’t believe in me enough and gave me no time to prove my worth. I needed a period of acclimatisation, and instead there I was given none.”

 

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