Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has claimed that the time he spent on the bench this season has helped his form improve.

Despite performing well recently, the Spanish keeper believes that being dropped by Sir Alex Ferguson after an FA Cup clash with Liverpool has had a positive influence on him.

The 21-year-old said: "I wouldn't point to a particular incident in the game but the time I spent on the bench when I was out of the team I could reflect, think hard and regroup.

"I started working harder to come out of that spell. It made me more determined so when I did get that opportunity to get back in the side I grabbed it with both hands.

"The thing now is to keep this good form because you know that one slight slip-up and you've got quality players waiting in the wings to grab their opportunity as well."

De Gea joined the Premier League champions from Atletico Madrid last summer.