David de Gea believes that Cristiano Ronaldo helps his teammates off the pitch due to his elite mentality, as it shows the younger players how to act and look after themselves.
David de Gea has seen his role change in the Manchester United dressing room from when he joined in 2011 as a skinny, unimposing 20-year-old, to now with 11 seasons under his belt and being one of the more senior and established players at the club.
The goalkeeper recognises it is now his job to shepherd the new generation of players into United due to his senior stature, but according to the Spaniard no one can represent the mentality needed better than Ronaldo.
In a recent interview with the club’s media, United’s No.1 heaped praise on Ronaldo's way of life by saying:
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“He’s great, the way he works speaks for himself. The way he treats himself, his body. He is focused in every training session and every game.
“This is why he is one of the best in history. He’s mentally very strong and that’s an example for everyone [to follow].”
De Gea hasn't been the only one singing the praises of Cristiano Ronaldo as the fans also recognise his massive importance to the team and awarded the Portuguese with the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year, 18 years after he first won it in the 2003/04 season.
Diogo Dalot has been one of the youngsters taken under Ronaldo's experienced wing with the 23-year-old admitting that the pair talk tactics over coffee on the morning of the match.
Although the forward is certainly one to look up to and learn from, Here David de Gea is just one of many veteran players willing to help the new kids and tries to set a good example.
“As an experienced player in the squad, [I try] to give advice to the younger players,” De Gea explained.
“I give 100 per cent every day in training [and] in games, to try to be an example for everyone.”
De Gea echoes Ronaldo's mentality as he goes on to say: “[I] think it is not just about talking and giving advice to the boys, it's the way you work, the way you treat people in the club, the way you train, the way you play.
"I think this is even more important than words.”
The incoming generation including the likes of Anthony Elanga, Alejandro Garnacho and James Garner couldn't ask for better teachers to learn the beautiful game from.
Topics: Cristiano Ronaldo, David De Gea, Premier League, Manchester United, Football
Tom Horn