Good, difficult, different is David De Gea’s description of a Leeds United side Manchester United cannot afford to look past with Atletico Madrid on the horizon.
The Red Devils visit their bitter rivals at Elland Road in front of a sold-out crowd in a league match for the first time in more than 18 years on Sunday.
After beating Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday night, Ralf Rangnick’s side moved into the top four of the Premier League, but De Gea is all too aware of the bear pit awaiting them.
"I know it's a massive rivalry between the teams," De Gea told Press Association.
"It's going to be a tough game, especially away against Leeds: good team, difficult team, different team.
"But we have to win this game as well to be in the top four and hopefully we can go there and win."
Madrid-born De Gea began his career with Atletico and he is relishing the return there in his Manchester club’s next Champions League tie.
However, he knows it would be a mistake to look beyond Leeds as they prepare for Elland Road’s cauldron of noise.
"Yeah [Atletico is a special match], but my mind at the moment is just about Leeds," he said.
"Prepare well for the game, be ready for the game and this is the most important thing, not just for me, but for the team to be ready for Leeds."
