Goalkeeper David de Gea makes United debut

Published Jul. 23, 2011 5:46 p.m. ET

foxsports

Goalkeeper David de Gea will make his preseason debut for Manchester United in Saturday's friendly match against the Chicago Fire at Soldier Field.

De Gea, who left Atletico Madrid to join the English soccer powerhouse in the offseason, did not play in the first two legs of United's U.S. tour. He is expected to be the long-term replacement for Edwin Van der Sar, who retired at the end of last season, but hasn't been handed the starting job yet.

De Gea recently helped Spain win the European under-21 championship.

Wayne Rooney was not in the starting lineup for United on Saturday. Javier ''Chicharito'' Hernandez is still away from the team, but may rejoin United next week.