Former England goalkeeper Nigel Martyn has praised the recent displays of Manchester United stopper David de Gea.

De Gea, 21, suffered a barrage of criticism in his first few months at the club, but has since silenced his doubters with a string of impressive performances.

"He's a young man coming through a foreign country, playing in a different league and it's obviously going to take him a little bit of time to adapt," Martyn told reporters.

"His form has coincided with Manchester United's form at the end of the season and it's on that basis, a good defence and a good goalkeeper, that league titles are won.

"Possibly his mistakes were coinciding with the period of time that Manchester United didn't look as if they were realistic title challengers, but what has happened is his good form has coincided with theirs."

United are five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.