UNITED’S DE GEA DILEMMA
Van Gaal faces big decision over keeper’s future
UNITED are facing a dilemma over what to do with David de Gea just a week before the start of the new season.
The Reds have maintained throughout the protracted transfer wrangle with Real Madrid that only a deal for Sergio Ramos would convince them to release De Gea.
But yesterday, Spanish newspaper Marca, who have strong links with Real Madrid, reported Ramos has agreed a new five-year deal at the Bernabeu.
The news came just hours after United boss Louis van Gaal suggested De Gea is not in the right frame of mind to start the season as his first-choice.
Following the 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Chicago, during which De Gea was partly culpable for the first goal, the Dutchman said De Gea’s situation ‘is not favourable’ to any of the involved parties.
Real coach Rafa Benitez refused to directly address the development but believes it is ‘early days’ in the transfer window and that ‘little by little things will fall into place’.
He added: “If someone else comes along then we will welcome them but they have to be better than what we have.”
It leaves Van Gaal and executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward with a decision to make just days before the Premier League opener on August 8.
They can either reaffirm their stance that De Gea, who arrived back in Manchester with the rest of the squad yesterday, will not be allowed to sign for Real Madrid this summer unless Ramos moves in the opposite direction – something that now looks highly unlikely.
Or they can admit defeat and agree a deal with the Spanish side rather than lose the 24-year-old for nothing when his contract expires in 12 months.
United signed Argentinian goalkeeper Sergio Romero on a free transfer on Monday and also have 22-year-old Sam Johnstone, who played more minutes than any other goalkeeper on the tour of the United States, and Anders Lindegaard, who is currently sidelined with a groin injury.
But it remains likely they will move for another keeper if De Gea leaves before the transfer deadline. »