David De Gea to join Manchester United in LA next week ready to restore reputation after nightmare World Cup
Spanish keeper's reputation took a beating in Russia but after a break he will join up with his United team-mates and prepare for title challenge
DAVID DE GEA will begin trying to restore his reputation as the world’s best goalkeeper when he flies out to join his Manchester United teammates in America next week.
The Spanish numbers one’s standing took a severe hit in the World Cup in Russia.
He faced 11 shots on target in the tournament, including four in a penalty shoot-out, and saved just one.
He also made an absolute howler as he allowed a tame shot from Cristiano Ronaldo to spill into the net in a 3-3 draw between Spain and Portugal.
This came after another blunder in a 1-1 pre-tournament draw with Switzerland raised eyebrows.
De Gea’s mistake against Portugal came in Spain’s opening Group B game.
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He kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win against Iran but without being really tested but would let in two in another draw this time against Morocco.
Spain would go out in the last 16 after a 1-1 draw with Russia took the game to a penalty shoot-out.
While his opposite number Igor Akinfeev saved twice in that shoot-out De Gea did not stop one of only four the host nation needed to knock the 2010 World Cup winners out.
That match came on July 1st and United boss Jose Mourinho gave all players three weeks off after playing their last World Cup game.
That means De Gea will be available for the three International Champions Cup games starting on July 25 against AC Milan in LA before facing Liverpool on the 28th in Michigan and Real Madrid on the 31st in Miami.
Before that United take on MLS sides Club America and San Jose Earthquakes.
Marcos Rojo will also fly out for the three ICC games after Argentina went out in the last 16 while Nemanja Matic will be out even earlier after Serbia were knocked out in the group stages.
None of the players who played in the quarter-finals and beyond will be joining up that includes; Paul Pogba, now a World Cup winner and England semi-final squad members Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Phil Jones.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini also reached the semi-final while Sweden’s Victor Lindelof and new signing Brazilian Fred made it to the last eight.