Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has said that he is unsurprised by David de Gea's recent run of superb performances.

The £18m summer signing from Atletico Madrid made a shaky start to his Old Trafford career and was dropped following the Red Devils' 3-2 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers on New Year's Eve.

However, the 21-year-old goalkeeper has since been restored to the starting XI and, following a excellent displayduring the 2-0 win over Rovers in the return fixture on Monday night, United have kept three consecutive clean sheets with the Spaniard between the posts.

"I expected him to make a contribution the minute he arrived at the club," said Ferguson. "Since he was a young kid, our homework on the lad has always been really positive.

"You can't deny the performance level and ability of someone who can get into the Atletico Madrid team at 18 and win the Europa League.

"That is why we went for him. Even Peter Schmeichel found it difficult coming into the English game, and he was 27. David made mistakes but we forgive that at 21."

De Gea has kept 11 clean sheets in 32 appearances for United this season.