Manchester United now expect David De Gea to stay at the club beyond the transfer window and have no concerns regarding the goalkeeper’s professionalism should he do so. De Gea, who is a target for Real Madrid, will be allowed to leave should Sergio Ramos come the other way. While there seems little prospect of this occurring at the moment, it is thought a world-record bid for a goalkeeper may be considered by Real.
United’s acquisition of Sergio Romero, the Argentina No1, is viewed as offering security should De Gea remain at Old Trafford after 1 September and not offer 100% commitment. However Louis van Gaal continues to be impressed with the 24-year-old’s approach and is not unduly concerned about De Gea’s ability to refocus.
De Gea was dropped for United’s 1-0 home win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday and Romero impressed when taking his place. Van Gaal believes Real’s interest has caused a drop in De Gea’s high standards in training. The manager is prepared to choose De Gea again, but only after the transfer market closes. “If he is still here on 1 September we will look again,” Van Gaal said. “He cannot play before that because as a goalkeeper you need the highest concentration and it is difficult when you are in a position like David.”
Van Gaal has named De Gea in the squad for the two-leg Champions League final knockout round against Bruges, the opening game of which is next week. However this is not the squad for the main competition.
Peter Schmeichel, the former United No1, has criticised the handling of De Gea’s situation. “It should have been sorted out and hopefully it will be sorted out very soon,” he told Sky Sports News HQ. “It’s been talked about for all of this year nearly and it’s annoying that its been taken into the season. I can see the manager’s point of view. I think he’s voiced a little bit of dissatisfaction in the last couple of weeks . I’m not going to interfere with his decision to play him or not play him. He’s made a decision but it just shows you very clearly that he’s not happy about it.
“I’ve got no idea if De Gea will stay. If you’d asked me two weeks ago, four weeks ago I would have said he’s going to leave and we’re going to move on and put somebody else in goal but now I don’t know.”
Despite Romero’s presence Van Gaal may still add a new No1 should De Gea leave but Schmeichel is not sure Ajax’s Jasper Cillessen would be the best buy. “Cillessen is a good goalkeeper, but Van Gaal took him off for the penalty shootout at the World Cup and that shows some kind of no trust,” he told Talksport.
“I think he doesn’t trust him 100% and I wouldn’t like a goalkeeper like that at Manchester United. If De Gea goes I would love Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris to come to Manchester United. He has exactly the style of play and he is proven in the Premier League.”
Despite reports to the contrary United are not interested in buying Luca Biglia, the Lazio defensive midfielder.
