Former Manchester United striker Diego Forlan has revealed that he played a key role in convincing David de Gea to join the club, insisting a move to Old Trafford is the "best option" any player can have.
Forlan, who played for United between 2002 and 2004, has admitted that he sold United to De Gea ahead of the goalkeeper joining the club in June 2011. The goalkeeper signed for United from Atletico Madrid — the club that Forlan played for at the time.
Furthermore, the former Uruguay striker has also admitted that he played a key role in convincing youngster Facundo Pellistri, who is currently on loan at Spanish outfit Alaves, to join the club in October 2020. The winger joined United from Penarol and Forlan had worked with him as manager up until a month before sealing a move to Old Trafford.
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Having recommended a move to United for two former colleagues, Forlan — who will return to Old Trafford next month for a charity match against Liverpool legends — is adamant that Old Trafford remains the best place for a player to develop.
"Yes, I remember we were playing together at Atletico Madrid," Forlan told United's club website about De Gea. "There were some rumours about him going to Manchester United and I said to him: 'You need to go there, it's a very beautiful place; the club, the team, the fans.
"'The only thing [is] it's not the best weather, but it's difficult for you to have everything in life, but you will enjoy it. It's a great city, one of the best clubs in the world, with the people and everything'."
On De Gea getting the chance to work with Sir Alex Ferguson, Forlan continued: "You know, he had a good offer and he accepted. It was Sir Alex at that moment, I think it was Sir Alex at that moment, so it was [going to be] coaching by a great manager like him.
"He was going to Manchester United and now it was a good decision, until now, [because] he is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world and still there at United for so many years."
Although Pellistri is yet to make his United debut, he has also benefited from Forlan's knowledge of the club. The former striker also sold the club to the youngster.
"Yes but everybody, you know like Pellstri, when they came to him, I spoke with Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer], at that moment he was the manager, and you know, it’s a beautiful, beautiful place," Forlan added. "Everything you have, one of the best clubs, the people.
"The people working for the club are very nice people and it’s like a family. The fans, everywhere you go, so it's no mistake for you to choose Manchester United.
"So David and now Facundo had the opportunity to go there and then, of course, it depends on the player and the quality and to train to do your best. But it is the best option a player can have."
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