Real threat for United as De Gea mulls move
Print Edition
MANCHESTER United goalkeeper David de Gea’s future is up in the air after manager Louis van Gaal acknowledged the threat of Real Madrid’s reported interest in him.
De Gea was forced off by a hamstring injury during United’s 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal on Sunday and, with Real thought to be preparing to pounce, it may have been his final club appearance.
While Van Gaal professed not to know if Real has made a formal offer for De Gea, who began his career with its cross-town rival Atletico, he accepts United faces a struggle to prevent the 24-year-old falling into its clutches.
Asked if he had accepted that De Gea was heading for the exit, Van Gaal responded: “You are asking things I cannot answer, because I don’t know. I have said a transfer is an individual thing. It’s also a process. He has to decide. We have given a fantastic contract (offer) because we want him to stay.
“But I analyze his position and then I say he is Spanish, he is a Spanish international — still behind (Iker) Casillas — and now a Spanish club is coming.
“His girlfriend is Spanish, his father and mother come every week or two weeks here to watch, and still it is difficult for him. It’s a big compliment for United.”
United has been happy to do business with Real in the past when it has suited it, with Javier Hernandez’s loan move to the Bernabeu this season echoing previous transfers involving David Beckham, Gabriel Heinze and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
But it also endured a long, ill-tempered stand-off with the 10-time European champion over the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, who eventually left for Madrid in a world-record deal in 2009.
British press reports suggest United has already drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements for De Gea, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris and Chelsea’s Petr Cech among the players who have been cited.
De Gea’s premature departure against Arsenal enabled his countryman Victor Valdes to make his United debut, four months after signing, and the former Barcelona goalie is likely to be required to deputise again at Hull City on the season’s final day.
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