Manchester United goalkeeper coach Emilio Alvarez admits he's known David de Gea since he was 17.

Alvarez had been taken to Atlético Madrid by Quique Sánchez Flores and vouched for de Gea's potential when others at the club were less convinced.

"It was when he was fourth-choice after Asenjo, Roberto Jiménez and Yoel," he told El Pais of his first involvement with de Gea at Atlético.

"They were thinking about sending David out on loan but after the first training session I said to Quique: 'We've got to play him'.

"He was 17 and was really skinny, but he had talent."