David de Gea has insisted that he would rather start for Spain in the European Under-21 Championships than occupy the bench at the Confederations Cup.

The Manchester United goalkeeper was selected by La Roja youth coach Julen Lopetegui for next month's tournament in Israel, with Victor Valdes and Pepe Reina preferred as understudies to Iker Casillas for the full side.

De Gea believes that he will gain more from starting for Spain's Under-21 team in the next few weeks as they bid to retain their European crown won two years ago in Denmark.

He is quoted by Football Esapna: "We have a nice challenge ahead of us. It is exciting to participate in the European Under-21 Championship.

"We have come to win the competition and I know that winning the title is something very special. We have a very good team and we intend to retain the championship.

"To have gone to the Confederations Cup would have been very nice, but I prefer to be here and to play. Here I am happy."

The 22-year-old is one of five players who helped Spain win the last European youth tournament in 2011, along with full internationals Thiago Alcantara, Isco and Iker Muniain.