David de Gea is glad he stayed at Manchester United after considering quitting the club two years ago.
Spanish goalkeeper De Gea starred for United at Old Trafford on Sunday in the 2-1 weekend win over Everton.
De Gea acrobatically denied Leon Osman and Bryan Oviedo, as well as Leighton Baines, who saw his previously impeccable penalty record vanish thanks to a right-handed save.
"It was probably one of my best performances for Manchester United. I was really happy about that," De Gea said. "Games like that helps your confidence grow."
De Gea's dream £18million move from Atletico Madrid in 2011 had threatened to turn sour after he was blamed for both goals in United's narrow Community Shield win over Manchester City.
Errors against Basel and Benfica then quickened United's early exit from the Champions League group stage.
"Sometimes," De Gea said when asked whether he ever thought about leaving at the end of the first season. "It's difficult when you get a lot of criticism like I did. But I kept strong and I always tried to remain positive.
"Those early days were difficult for me and my family. But when you play for a big club like Manchester United (being criticised) is normal when you don't play well."
Although he does not remember the early days of his fledgling career fondly, De Gea is pleased he went through the experience as he feels it toughened him up.
"What happened at the start helped me be the player and man I am now," he said.
"When you have bad moments you have to improve. You have to become stronger to deal with it and I believe I have become stronger. I am much better now."
De Gea credits Frans Hoek, the goalkeeper coach brought in by Louis van Gaal this summer, as one of the men responsible for his upturn in form.
"Frans Hoek has helped me a lot," said De Gea, whose distribution has improved just as much as his shot-stopping.
"We are working on trying to start moves from the goalkeeper. "I think I'm playing the best football of my career. Now I'm ready for everything."
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