Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea admits the influence of retired manager Sir Alex Ferguson was crucial in his improvement over the past year.

De Gea attributes his improvement to the confidence shown in him by now retired manager Ferguson, who he admits will be missed at Old Trafford this season after twenty-six years in charge.

The goalkeeper said of Ferguson: "There are so many things that will remain with me: the respect he gave to everyone, his personality, his character, the knowledge he had about football, the faith and trust he put in me.

"It is a huge change. You have to realise just how many years it has been with the same manager. All of a sudden, it has changed and we have to adapt quickly but we will go for everything once again this season, like always."