De Gea ‘may force move if Van Gaal stays as Man Utd manager’

Oli Fisher
David de Gea: May entertain Old Trafford exit

David de Gea: May entertain Old Trafford exit

David de Gea may leave Manchester United if Louis van Gaal stays manager of the club, according to reports.

The 25-year-old almost made a switch to Real Madrid last summer, but a paperwork error meant he had to stay in England.

Despite being named United’s Player of the Year for a third consecutive season, the keeper may be seeking pastures new if there is no managerial change at Old Trafford, according to The Guardian.

Van Gaal is currently in position to see out the final year of his contract after taking over from David Moyes in 2014, but this is something De Gea is not too keen on, and the Spaniard is said to be unhappy with the prospect of another season without Champions League football.

Louis van Gaal: Upset by ongoing Jose Mourinho talk

United have been heavily linked with Jose Mourinho, who is also represented by the agent Jorge Mendes like De Gea, and it is believed that their prospects of retaining the goalkeeper may rest on appointing the former Chelsea and Inter boss.

Van Gaal however believes his number one will stay at United.

“In this world of football you never know. It can always happen – but I don’t think so. He is very comfortable here” the Dutchman told the Manchester Evening News.

“He has said that many, many times, not only to me but also to his colleagues and the fans – in interviews or things like that – and he’s extended his contract.”

In a recent interview, Juan Mata also discussed De Gea’s future at the club.

“I think everybody can see that he is very happy,” the United midfielder said.

“He feels the love of the fans, being voted the best player of the season for a third time in a row. He’s happy in the city, he’s happy with us, with his team-mates and he’s performing very well.

“I think he’s very calm and he’s focused on finishing the season well, trying to win the FA Cup and, after that, trying to be focused with Spain in the Euros.

“So he’s very calm and I’m not nervous about his future.”

To further complicate the matter, Mourinho was once again linked with a move to PSG in Tuesday morning’s papers.