United deal collapse made Navas ‘stronger’

Real Madrid keeper Keylor Navas says his failed move to Manchester United has helped to make him stronger.

Both United and Real Madrid blamed each other after the 11th-hour collapse of David de Gea’s move to Madrid – which would have meant Navas making the opposite move to Manchester.

Navas, 28, was believed to have been at Madrid airport ready to fly to England to wrap up the deal on transfer deadline day, but the protracted deal fell through.

Navas, though, has not let the summer’s distractions affect his football and he has started all of Madrid’s games so far this season, conceding just twice in nine appearances, and saving both penalties he has faced.

“I have not had anything easy anywhere, because as they say ‘the fish had already been sold’ and I had to swim against the current. But when you do swim against the current you come out stronger,” said Navas ahead of Costa Rica’s friendly at home to South Africa on Friday.

“Often you arrive in a place where there are people who have been there a long time, and you must work and climb up step by step to win your chance.

“I have had to wait just one year to have the chance, because other people have had to wait longer. God has prepared me to be at my best physical and mental level in key moments.”

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