David de Gea’s relationship with Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has broken down completely, according to Mirror.
De Gea’s determination to leave Old Trafford may be driven by his ambition to play for Real Madrid, but Sunday Mirror Sport has revealed that the Spanish goalkeeper now feels his position at the club has been made untenable by the Van Gaal’s claim that he refused to play.
According to a source close to Manchester United, “David just doesn’t get on with Van Gaal – and his relationship with goalkeeping coach Frans Hoek is even more strained.”
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar is concerned about the situation with the Spaniard at Old Trafford.
Van der Sar said: “It is obvious that there is a lot more going on in the background. There is stuff happening between Louis and De Gea.”
Manchester United are desperate to keep de Gea at Manchester for the 10 months remaining in his contract unless Real Madrid match the valuation of £35million which they have put on him.
But Van Gaal would prefer a deal to be done at any price before the transfer window closes so that he can bring in Ajax’s £25m-rated Dutch international Jasper Cillessen.
Van Gaal does not want to be forced to deal with a player who does not adhere to his philosophy and has been making De Gea train away from the first team.
Van der Sar, now working as Ajax’s chief executive, added: “I fear he (De Gea) is going to face ten very awkward months.”
“As a former United employee and goalkeeper of the club, I find it astonishing that I see three established goalkeepers – De Gea, Anders Lindegaard and Victor Valdes – in the stand watching United play.”
“Also, Sergio Romero is a free agent who has hardly played a league game over the past two years, yet is in the starting line-up.”
“Cillessen’s name is being mentioned as a replacement for De Gea but, as as a director at Ajax, I am working hard to keep our best player.”