First things first, let’s acknowledge that Manchester United are lucky there’s even a chance of David De Gea staying beyond this season.
The Spanish international should have left the club back in August, only for a quite monumental balls-up to derail his move to Real Madrid at the eleventh hour.
The two clubs reportedly have an agreement in place which would allow Madrid to sign the goalkeeper – who began his career with rivals Atletico – when the summer transfer window opens.
But the form of current number one Keylor Navas has seen that particular discussion die down, despite De Gea once again taking his place in the PFA Premier League team of the season.
The PFA Barclays Premier League Team of the Year 2016 #PFAawards: pic.twitter.com/Ffp9GTTMN2
— Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) April 21, 2016
Now it has emerged that De Gea’s future could yet lie at Old Trafford, but only if manager Louis van Gaal leaves the club this summer.
Many expected Van Gaal to have been replaced by now, with Jose Mourinho the leading contender to take over, but that is yet to materialise.
United conclude their current campaign on Tuesday in the rearranged meeting with Bournemouth, after which attention will turn to the future of their head coach.
And the Daily Telegraph claim the Dutchman’s future will have a knock-on effect on where De Gea will be playing his football next season.
The paper reports that the mooted arrival of Mourinho could also be crucial to whether or not the Red Devils secure the services of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
United have reportedly made contact with the Swede, who has played his last game for Paris Saint-Germain, with a view to bringing him in on a 12-month deal with an option for a second year.
The Telegraph notes that Mourinho and De Gea share an agent in Jorge Mendes, and the arrival of the Portuguese could convince the goalkeeper to remain at Old Trafford.
One sticking point, however, may be the lack of Champions League football next season. It will be the second campaign out of three in which the club is not playing in Europe’s elite competition, and any player considering turning out for the club in 2016/17 will have to weigh up a number of factors before making their decision.
