Legendary goalkeeper Shilton believes Manchester Derby will be 'acid test' for Man U's De Gea

London, Apr 27 (ANI): Veteran soccer star, Peter Shilton has said Monday's Manchester Derby would be an 'acid test' for Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea.

Shilton believes the crucial match of the two title-chasing Manchester clubs lies completely in the hands of the two goalkeepers and their best handles in the daunting occasion at Etihad Stadium.

Althought Shilton has few doubts about Manchester City's Joe Hart, he still has some reservations about United's De Gea, despite the Spaniard showing huge improvement in his form in the second half of the season.

"This is the acid test for him. He let in four in his last game [against Everton] and this is the biggest game of his Manchester United career - maybe of his whole career. If he can come through this and have a really good game it could clinch the title for Manchester United and it could cement his progress," the Daily Express quoted Shilton, as saying.

De Gea has made several match-saving saves for United since regaining his place in January, but the former English footballer feels that "if he has a wobbly game and United get beaten, then some people will still be pointing fingers at him".

As for Hart, Shilton believes he is England's best, but warned him that he must not allow complacency to set in and think he is the finished article.Joe has the potential to be a great goalkeeper. He needs to improve one or two aspects, but he is the type of keeper who will try to work on his game and his technique. It is important that he just doesn't stand back and say, 'I'm happy with what I've got'," Shilton outlined.

Shilton, who has won record 125 caps for England and played more than 1,000 games in his club career, said, "From a technique point of view, I wasn't totally convinced with some of the things De Gea was doing in the early part of the season."

He added that he "looked very raw and he didn't look a dominant goalkeeper". (ANI)