Manchester is 'uglier than a fridge' David De Gea's girlfriend slams British city

THE girlfriend of Manchester United's star goalkeeper has attacked his adopted city, suggesting it is "uglier than the back of a fridge”.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea with his girlfriend, Edurne GarciaGETTY

Edurne Garcia said Manchester was only 'wonderful' because her boyfriend of four years lived there

The disparaging remarks come just months before David de Gea's rumoured move to Real Madrid this summer, and four years after his first appearance in the Premier League.

De Gea is reported to be considering relocating to his native Spain, although his agent said for the time being he was "a Man Utd player and has a contract there". 

Singer Edurne Garcia, 29, who was born in Madrid and has been dating the keeper since November 2010, made the controversial comments in an interview on Spanish television. 

David de Gea's girlfriend, Edurne GarciaSteve Searle/WENN.com

The 29-year-old singer was born in Madrid and has been dating the keeper since November 2010

It’s not very nice, that’s for sure. You have to hunt out specific places, the nicer places

Edurne Garcia, girlfriend of David de Gea

Garcia told the TV host she only liked spending time in Manchester because de Gea was living in the city.

“It’s not very nice, that’s for sure. You have to hunt out specific places, the nicer places," she said.

“But even then, Spain is nicer. The reason I like it is because David’s there. With him being there, everything looks wonderful.”

Her remarks are likely to fuel speculation that de Gea, 24, will look to leave English football before his contract expires in 2017.

De Gea's agent added: "You have to respect that but things change every five minutes."

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea after a match at Old TraffordPA

David de Gea, right, is rumoured to be moving to Real Madrid in the summer

However, a study by the European Commission found life wasn't all rosy in the Spanish capital.

The 2014 survey, which attempted to measure quality of life in major European cities by asking people what they think about issues such as their city’s built environment, cultural facilities, pollution and safety showed Madrid wallowing very close to the bottom of the pile.

Residents interviewed in the city routinely attacked Madrid as ‘filthy’ and ‘too noisy’. 

The Spanish capital was ranked as the second noisiest city in the European region, just behind Istanbul.

Edurne and de Gea, 24, met at the recording of a charity CD in Madrid in 2010 and started dating soon after. 

In January, the singer was picked to perform for Spain at the Eurovision contest on May 23, with a song called Amanecer, meaning ‘dawn’ in english.

She said at the time: “David was happy for me when I told him, just like my family and friends. 

“The people who love you share in your good news. 

“David and I are very happy together. 

“I think he’s going to be tied up with league commitments but I hope he can be there at the final along with my family and friends so we can live the experience together.”

Edurne - Amanecer (Spain) 2015 Eurovision Song Contest

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?