Sir Alex Ferguson believes David de Gea can make Manchester United champions again

De Gea is United’s trump card according to Sir Alex Ferguson

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is of the opinion that David de Gea can be the catalyst behind his side winning the Premier League title again, according to ESPN.

The Red Devils have had a relatively good start to their season under manager Louis van Gaal as they have picked up 13 points from the six fixtures and are placed second in the standings two points behind crosstown rivals Manchester City.

De Gea was heavily linked to Real Madrid this summer and almost completed his move on deadline day to the Spanish capital but the move didn’t go through at the last minute. And resolving the situation at the Old Trafford has been the best news for the United faithful recently as the Spaniard has carried on from where he left last season, displaying some sensational form in front of the goal.

That has been encouraging for Ferguson who has been impressed by what he has seen so far especially with United’s 19-year-old signing Anthony Martial and David de Gea.

"We are second in the league," said Ferguson in a talk at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, to promote his new book. "The boy Martial, he could be anybody he wants. He doesn't panic [when shooting], the ball goes into him three times but he doesn't panic, that's a great asset.

"And I think De Gea can actually win us the league. We are in a good position because, [leaders Manchester] City hadn't lost a game until last week and then United won at Southampton and the whole thing changes round.

"Chelsea have lost a couple of games, Arsenal have lost a game, if you are there around New Year's Day then they will have a good chance."

Ferguson wouldn’t be surprised if van Gaal extended his contracted

While manager Van Gaal, who is 64 and has two more years left on his contract, has said he will retire when he leaves United, Ferguson would not be surprised if he wants to extend his contract at Old Trafford.

"Who knows what the future will bring?" he wondered. "You never know what Louis will do. When you get the bug, it's hard to leave."

Ryan Giggs, who won 13 Premier League titles as a player under Ferguson, is now Van Gaal's right-hand man. And while some think Giggs needs to become a manager elsewhere before he is considered for the top job at Old Trafford, Ferguson disagrees.

"Ryan is getting experience, he is assistant manager," Ferguson said. "People have said it might be better for him to leave but I am not so sure about that. He is getting experience under Van Gaal and did under David Moyes, so I think his learning process is very good."