You all want De Gea to flop at United, says furious Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson has rounded on critics of goalkeeper David de Gea, claiming people are desperate for him to fail. Ferguson confirmed the 20-year-old Spaniard will play against Chelsea.

But the United boss says visiting goalkeeper Petr Cech was given a much easier ride than De Gea when he arrived in England in 2004 at the age of 22.

'There is obviously an agenda on De Gea and we experienced that again on Wednesday,' said Ferguson, who reacted angrily to television interviewer Kelly Cates, daughter of Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, when she asked whether Anders Lindegaard would replace De Gea for Sunday's game after his impressive performance against Benfica in the Champions League.

Strong defence: De Gea has support of boss

'It seems to me people are desperate for the boy to fail. That's the impression I get and I don't understand it. It's not his age because they never did that with Cech when he came.

'He will be back in the team against Chelsea, absolutely. That was always the arrangement.'

Ferguson conducted a worldwide search for a goalkeeper before signing De Gea from Atletico Madrid.

He won the European Under-21 Championship with Spain but has endured criticism in his short time in England after allowing a long-range shot from Manchester City's Edin Dzeko to beat him in the Community Shield.

Words of support: Anders Lindegaard also has Ferguson's backing

Lindegaard excelled on his European debut on Wednesday night but Ferguson says rumours that he will replace the Spaniard are unfounded.

'De Gea hasn't been flapping about in the goalmouth, he has been really composed. He's outstanding.

'Both our goalkeepers can use the ball, which is a fantastic asset in the modern game. At Bolton last weekend, he [De Gea] started seven attacks. He chipped the ball out and the attacks ended up in their penalty area. I think he had a 90 per cent pass completion.'

Backing his man: Ferguson has put his faith in young Spanish keeper David de Gea

It had been predicted that De Gea would not even be picked for the game at the Reebok to withstand the aerial assault of Kevin Davies but Ferguson said: 'Those reports didn't bother him - I'd told him on the Thursday he would be playing.

'There's a lot that he has had to deal with and he's showing a lot of composure. He is 20 and coming into a country where he doesn't know the culture.

'He doesn't speak English, he's been looking for a house and he's found one now; he's been learning to drive in England.'

Ferguson also had words of comfort for Lindegaard, who is set to return to the bench at Old Trafford.

'Anders is a bloody good goalkeeper, too, but he understands the situation, he has been patient and bided his time.'