Louis van Gaal is so confident of keeping goalkeeper David de Gea this summer, that he doesn’t even believe that a top-four finish and a return to Champions League football is required to convince him to stay.
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Reports on Goal.com confirm that the Spanish stopper has just over a year to run on his current contract at Old Trafford, a fact that has sparked the interest of Real Madrid as they chase a long-term replacement for Iker Casillas.
De Gea joined United in a £18.9m move from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and has grown into a key player for them over the last two seasons. But despite his clear importance to the team, the Red Devils have thus far been unable to convince him to put pen to paper on a new deal.
Nonetheless, Van Gaal is confident that the 24-year-old will stay put, regardless of where they finish this season. Recent wins over Tottenham and Liverpool have left his side well placed to secure at least a fourth place finish, but Van Gaal doesn’t believe it to be a deciding factor.
He told reporters: “I don’t think you have to ask that question to me. You have to ask David De Gea. We have a number of very good players.
“All the national coaches are confirming that because they are asking the players of ours. I don’t think that’s the problem.”