Spain manager Luis Enrique has thrown his backing behind David de Gea after a tough season for Manchester United.
After a short hiatus, competitive football returned on Thursday night as the Nations League got underway, with the marquee clash being Spain's match against Germany in Stuttgart.
De Gea started between the sticks and, though there wasn't much he could do about Timo Werner's fine opener, he was named Man of the Match after making a string of fine saves that kept the Spaniards in the game and allowed them to grab a last-minute equaliser through Jose Gaya.
The positive performance couldn't have come at a better time for De Gea as he soon faces his most important season since arriving at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old struggled towards the end of the last campaign and made a number of high-profile and costly mistakes, most notably the two blunders that led to an FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea.
As a result, there have been calls for Dean Henderson to be given a chance as the club's No.1 after impressing at Sheffield United and the 23-year-old will be remaining in Manchester this season to compete for a place.
Yet De Gea has sent a strong statement with his performance for the national side and won't be prepared to give up his spot in the team without a fight.
Enrique has thrown his support behind De Gea and believes that he is unfortunate that goalkeepers get more attention in the media for their mistakes.
"He has played many games like this in the English league," Enrique said. "We monitor him exhaustively. But he and Kepa [Arrizabalaga] have the Sambenito hanging that when they make a mistake they have to appear on the news.
"They are used to it. With the game he has played David, we should be saying what a great goalkeeper we have. I will encourage them not to fall apart. It is a position in which I demand a lot, but since the press gives them a lot of cane, I treat them with more affection.
"I don't think the press David has been disrespected. I say they are used to it. They know that their failures are more noticeable than those of other players, but they are used to it. "
