Rio Ferdinand has identified the main characteristic which has allowed David de Gea to re-emerge as the number one goalkeeper for Manchester United.
Having been displaced by academy graduate Dean Henderson post-Christmas last season, it was initially expected that the long-serving Spaniard would have to play second fiddle, once again.
There was even talk that he might depart Old Trafford during the summer transfer window.
However, once Henderson missed a large chunk of pre-season after he contracted Covid-19, there was a golden opportunity for De Gea to press forward a claim and resurrect his United career - something which, if you excuse the term, he has taken with both hands.
De Gea was powerless to stop United from being pegged back by Everton this Saturday lunchtime.
Anthony Martial and Andros Townsend scored during that 1-1 draw at Old Trafford - but there is no question as to who Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees as his first-choice.
That's according to pundit and former United defender Ferdinand, who explained why De Gea has moved past his contemporary Henderson during an analysis piece for BT Sport.
The pair were teammates for three years after De Gea touched down in the UK from Atletico Madrid in 2011.
Ferdinand said: " His character is the overriding factor, he had people doubting him when he first came in and he shut those people up, won countless player of the years here. He'll be the first to admit, when you look in his eyes, he doesn't doubt himself.
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"I was concerned because there was a big push from everyone in the game, the media, saying bring in Henderson, but this guy would never stop backing himself.
"He's come through tough moments and putting in those performances he has been. Without him midweek and in other games, United don't get any type of results."
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