Manchester United's David De Gea is already among the world's top goalkeepers but the man who knows him best believes he can get even better.

Goalkeeping coach Emilio Alvarez worked with the Spain international during his breakthrough at former club Atletico Madrid.

De Gea linked back up with his former mentor in 2016 when he became goalkeeping coach at United under Jose Mourinho.

De Gea's future remains under scrutiny given his contract is set to expire next summer – after the activation of a one-year extension clause.

Such talk does not seem to distract the 28-year-old, though, nor does the competition with fellow goalkeepers Sergio Romero and Lee Grant – something that Alvarez believes is down to the goalkeepers' close bond.

"It is one of the things that, to be honest, I feel really proud and happy about," Alvarez told MUTV ahead of Sunday's trip to Tottenham.

"The relationship that the keepers have is amazing, between them and also of course with the way they are interacting with the team.

"Maybe the three of them are making the atmosphere happier for the rest."