Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has expressed his happiness at goalkeeper David de Gea signing a new four-year-deal with the club.
News of the Spanish international’s contract extension was revealed to the media on Friday afternoon and marked an incredible u-turn from the 24-year-old as he looked certain to join Liga BBVA giants Real Madrid on transfer deadline day last month.
After being left out of United’s first six games of the new campaign due to the ongoing speculation surrounding his future, de Gea was poised to join Los Blancos after a deal had been agreed between the two clubs and it included Keylor Navas as makeweight.
However, the proposed deal fell through right at the death as the paperwork did not reach the La Liga headquarters before the Spanish transfer window shut and both players were forced to stay put.
De Gea has since committed his immediate future to the Red Devils and van Gaal is understandably delighted with the news:
“I am very happy that David De Gea stays because I believe he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. He was my best player last year, not only chosen by the fans but also by the players,” the Dutchman said at his pre-match press conference [via the club’s official website].
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United are back in action against bitter rivals Liverpool on Saturday evening and de Gea is in line for a recall to the starting XI and his return will be a boost for the hosts as he performed miracles in the corresponding fixture last season.