Football
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David De Gea hopes to learn from Iker Casillas on Spain squad

Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea said he hopes to learn from former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, even as the two compete to be Spain's regular goalkeeper in time for Euro 2016.

On Thursday, Spain coach Vicente del Bosque again practiced with Casillas in goal, although he has not said which player will get the nod on Friday when Spain play England in an international friendly.

"Well, bit by bit I have been getting into squads, playing games too, and now I feel I have a bit more weight in the set-up. But every time I come here it is a pleasure, it makes me proud. You become more mature with football, you are playing with top level players, learn a lot from them," De Gea told ESPN about his chances to start.

The Spanish team qualified for the Euro 2016 finals following a 4-0 win over Luxembourg last month and Porto goalkeepr Casillas, 34, had been Del Bosque's first choice during the campaign, playing in seven of the 10 qualifying matches.

Against Ukraine last month, Del Bosque handed De Gea a starting role in the 1-0 win, and his impressive performance reopened debate in Spain over who should be the No. 1.

"Everyone knows Iker Casillas, we have all followed him being at the top level for so many years," De Gea said. "What he has done for the national team is something impossible to equal. But I try and learn from him, when we are there, and train the best I can. I always come here to give the maximum, to show the boss that I am here to play. All us players do that -- looking play, to fight for a place. But I know I have a keeper ahead of me with a lot of experience, and much loved."

De Gea said he was confident that Spain would recover from their 2014 World Cup debacle.

"Spain set the bar very high in the last years, winning practically all their games. It is difficult to maintain this level, the demands are there. But we are on our path, trying to return to that place," De Gea said.

Del Bosque weighed in last week, saying he was happy to have two first-class choices.

"The one who has most impressed has been Iker. And now we have preferred to bring in David De Gea and he is competing for a position," Del Bosque told ESPN.

"There is no problem. It is not David De Gea today. It is David De Gea and Iker Casillas."

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