United’s handling of De Gea saga an absolute joke, says Schmeichel

PETER SCHMEICHEL believes it is an “absolute joke” that Manchester United did not sort out the future of David de Gea before the start of the season.

Real Madrid have been chasing De Gea all summer but with five days of the transfer window left, the goalkeeper remains at Old Trafford.

United insist they will not sell De Gea to Madrid unless they receive a fee of over £33million for the 24-year-old, who has just one year left on his contract.

The Spaniard has not played for the Red Devils this season because he has lost focus due to Madrid’s interest in him, according to manager Louis van Gaal. And Schmeichel admits the situation is far from ideal.

“I’m very thankful for what he has done for Manchester United, and I would not hold anything against him if he moves on, but I want the situation resolved because it’s an absolute joke that it has carried on into the season,” the former United goalkeeper said.

“A club like Manchester United, being in a transition period, needed to be ready for the season with every issue resolved, and not having two or three (issues) still hanging out there, but hopefully it gets resolved now.

“I would love David de Gea to commit to Manchester United and sign a new fiveyear contract. He has been absolutely outstanding in the last two seasons.

“But I also understand when Real Madrid – who are from his hometown – come calling, of course you want to go back there.

“I want to know – is he with us or someone else? And if he is with someone else I want the manager to have the opportunity to go out and buy another goalkeeper.”

Madrid are keen to wrap up a deal for De Gea soon, but view United’s asking price as unrealistic given the short time left on the player’s contract and his apparently fractured relationship with Van Gaal – something they may look to use to their advantage.

De Gea has been forced to train with the Red Devils’ reserves on numerous occasions in the last few weeks.

● The departures of Jonny Evans and Victor Valdes could be the only remaining business United has to deal with in this transfer window.

While Van Gaal’s pursuit of additions to his squad continues, there is a growing belief at Old Trafford that the exits of the Northern Ireland defender and the Spanish goalkeeper may be the only incomings or outgoings before 6pm on September 1.

The Red Devils have been linked with a number of strikers and back-up Javier Hernandez did his own cause little good when he missed a penalty and an open goal in their 4-0 Champions League play- off victory at Club Bruges during the week.

However, Van Gaal will only bring in players he feels can make a difference and his targets, which include Bayern Munich star Thomas Müller and Southampton winger Sadio Mane, are highly valued by their own clubs who are reluctant to sell.

United’s stance on De Gea remains the same. The management are adamant they will not sell the Spaniard for a knockdown fee, and would rather risk losing him for free when his contract expires next summer.

United are keen to offload Valdes and while Evans, who came through the youth ranks, remains popular, he is now well down the pecking order at Old Trafford.

Valdes has fallen out with Van Gaal who accused him of refusing to play for the reserves, and a move to Turkey looks likely, with Besiktas set to complete a free transfer for the 33-year-old.

Everton have shown an interest in Evans, 27, although a move to Goodison Park may hinge on the future of Chelsea target John Stones.

West Bromwich Albion are also keen on Evans. A switch to The Hawthorns would see the Ulsterman reunited with former teammate Darren Fletcher, who made the move to the Black Country last season.

Evans has played more than 200 times for United since his 2007 debut, and has won three Premier League titles, two League Cups and the Fifa Club World Cup with the club.

The Red Devils remain convinced that a window, which has seen the arrivals of Memphis Depay, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin, Sergio Romero and Bastian Schweinsteiger, has been a successful one. – Daily Mail