De Gea has endured a considerable amount of criticism with regard to his performances for United since he joined them from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011, but he has made impressive progress as time has gone on and been earning plenty of praise for his form of late.
United boss David Moyes described a save the 22-year-old Spaniard made in Saturday's 3-2 Barclays Premier League win over Stoke as "extraordinary".
And speaking to United Review, Red Devils goalkeeping coach Woods said of De Gea: "David has got everything that you need to be the best and he has just got to keep doing what he is doing at the moment.
"It is about achieving a level of consistency, which he is now doing but I don't want to tempt fate.
"He has everything needed to be up there with the best."
Former England goalkeeper Woods began working with De Gea over the summer, having - like Moyes - switched from his job at Everton to the same position at United.
The 53-year-old ex-Norwich, Rangers and Sheffield Wednesday player, who made 43 appearances for the Three Lions, is enjoying life with the Red Devils and has praised the attitude of the group of goalkeepers he oversees, which also includes Denmark's Anders Lindegaard and Ben Amos, capped three times by England Under-21s.
"They have been absolutely first-class," Woods said.
"From my point of view, they have taken the training on board, worked hard and I don't think they have moaned!
"They have worked really hard and we are forming that coach-player relationship that you need.
"It's a little bit different to working with outfield players because you are such a closely-knit group all of the time, so you need to trust in each other.
"It is the hardest position because there is only one spot, but they are a good group because they motivate each other to get the best out of everyone.
"I know that I am new and seeing that side of it but from my experiences, I know that all goalkeepers stand by each other.
"It's the goalkeepers' union. I've found the competition between the keepers has kept the standards very high, which is what I'm looking for."
After making his first appearance of the season in the 4-0 Capital One Cup fourth-round victory over Norwich on Tuesday, Lindegaard is set to make way for De Gea to return in Saturday's away league clash with Fulham.
Source: PA
Source: PA