Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea believes it was vital for them to claim a Champions League win over Villarreal away from home.

United were playing under caretaker boss Michael Carrick, following the sacking of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Despite that turmoil, the English side put in a battling display and earned a 2-0 win in Spain, progressing to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

"Yeah, it's always great to play in Spain, especially a Champions League game, good atmosphere," De Gea told MUTV.

"I think it was a massive three points for us today. Especially after a couple of tough weeks, so yeah, I think we showed good team spirit today.

"We play against a very difficult team, they play really well and I think what we showed today… I'm very proud of the team, the staff, so I'm very happy today."

"Yeah, I always try to be focused in the 90 minutes," he added regarding his great save from Manu Triqueros.

"I made the save, a couple of saves in the first half, but sometimes I've made some saves [and] the team has lost. Today, it was good because I made them and we win, so I'm really, really happy. But, like I say, today is about the team. The team played as a team, very good, so we deserve the points."