Does David de Gea deserve a place in the Spanish team for the World Cup?

The World Cup is only 73 days away, with the opening match between host nation Brazil and Croatia taking place in Sao Paulo on 12 June.

David De Gea hopes his fine form for Manchester United will earn him a place in Spain’s World Cup squad. De Gea has yet to win a senior cap and was not part of Vicente Del Bosque’s triumphant Euro 2012 squad.

But, in the wake of Victor Valdes’ serious knee injury, the 23-year-old now hopes to join Iker Casillas and Pepe Reina on the plane to Brazil.Losing keeper Victor Valdes for seven months after he injured his knee playing for Barcelona in their 3-0 win against Celta Vigo last week is a blow for defending champions Spain, but opens up the opportunity for a number of others to stake their claim for a starting place.

World Cup winner Iker Casillas continues to be a bit-part player for Real Madrid, with coach Carlo Ancelotti selecting him in Champions League and Copa del Rey games, while Diego Lopez is first choice in La Liga.

Casillas was on the bench as Real won 5-0against Rayo Vallencano at the weekend, but is expected to return to the starting XI for Wednesday’s Champions League quarter-final first leg with Borussia Dortmund.

Pepe Reina is another candidate for the number one Spain jersey and the Napoli shotstopper had a quiet evening on Sunday as his side secured a surprise 2-0 win against Serie A leaders Juventus.

De Gea deserves to go to the World Cup - he has been one of the few consistent performers during David Moyes’ nightmare first season at the Old Trafford giants, and has firmly established himself as the club’s No 1 after adapting to the physical nature of the Premier League.

De Gea’s form is in contrast to United’s woeful defence of the Premier League crown, and he cannot explain why they have been so poor.

The Reds have lost 10 of their 32 league games, including six defeats at Old Trafford, yet are enjoying their best Champions League run since reaching the final in 2011.