Juan Mata praises David de Gea's mental strength

Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata has praised teammate David de Gea for his mental toughness.

The Spanish goalkeeper was recipient of the club's Player of the Season award last week, and his compatriot talked up the talents of the keeper after revealing his laid-back approach to playing for the Red Devils.

The Guardian quotes him as saying: "He has huge faith in himself, which is a really important virtue. He doesn't let anything affect him.

"The day he makes a mistake he knows he has made a mistake but it never sinks him. He uses it to make sure that he doesn't make the mistake next time. It's a great quality. He's very calm.

"At times it seems almost like it's unconscious but that's a good thing. I didn't know him as well before as I do now and he's, a really lovely guy. He's also a brilliant goalkeeper."

De Gea moved from Atletico Madrid for around £19m in 2011.