Guillem Balague
Spanish Football Expert & Columnist @GuillemBalague
David de Gea 'would not force Manchester United move', says Guillem Balague
Last Updated: 17/05/16 3:02pm
Guillem Balague does not believe David de Gea would speak out about Louis van Gaal in a bid to force a transfer away from Manchester United.
It was claimed in several newspapers on Tuesday that the Spanish goalkeeper would be prepared to leave Old Trafford if Van Gaal was kept on as manager.
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One report stated that due to a "deteriorating relationship" with the manager, De Gea will delay a decision over whether to sign a contract extension which would tie him to United until 2021.
But Sky Sports' Spanish football expert Balague does not believe De Gea would adopt such a position, and feels he proved his loyalty in that regard when he continued to perform to a high standard despite the collapse of his move to Real Madrid last summer.
"It sounds so un-De Gea like, for a player to put a manager in that kind of position," he said.
"And especially when now that we are all hearing that the club want Van Gaal to stay for now.
"Of course it would be a way to force his [De Gea's] way out for sure. But De Gea would not do that.
"When he has been in that position, when he has been asked to rebel against Manchester United, every time he has said no.
"When he didn't manage to go to Madrid, he put his head down, didn't complain, started working and in a few weeks became the No 1 again."
Balague does, however, believe Real Madrid are considering their options and could make an offer for De Gea in the summer.
"The plan is Real Madrid are thinking about paying the money for De Gea - they are thinking about that.
"If they do that, they will want to sell Keylor Navas. Of course, Manchester United will then need a goalkeeper.
"There are still a lot of question marks, but I think that deal still may happen. I think De Gea will be considering going to Madrid.
"I feel Real let De Gea down in the summer. I think they have an obligation to go back and they are thinking about it."