The former Manchester United manager has opened up that United could have signed Manuel Neuer from Schalke 04 when they signed De Gea.
The German was Sir Alex's choice but United's goalkeeper coach Eric Steele preferred De Gea.
Sir Alex gave in and is glad he gave in.
"Eric Steele had been scouting David de Gea for quite a while, but then Neuer came on the scene at Schalke. And I think Schalke, would've been happy if we'd have gone and taken him. Sir Alex said.
“So my problem was Eric, because he was adamant that we must take De Gea. I said 'but Eric, the boy Neuer is the complete unit; he's mature, his physique is unbelievable', and he says 'yeah, but in three years' time, De Gea will be better'.
“I said ‘that’s a statement’.
“Eric and I went out to watch him (De Gea) against Valencia away, and the things he'd been speaking about - his agility, his confidence, his speed - were evident.
“And Eric had been building a relationship with his parents, and was so adamant, that I had to trust him - and I'm glad I did, because he was right.”
De Gea had his struggles when he first arrived at Old Trafford in 2011, but he has since developed into his new environment and is one of the best shot stoppers currently in the world.
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