Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has said that money is the only hurdle standing in the way of David De Gea’s move to Real Madrid. The Dutchman, quoted here by The Guardian ahead of the Red Devils’ opening day clash against Old Trafford on Saturday, stated that the club had always had the rough end of deals with the Spanish giants.
“Manchester United always have to pay,” Van Gaal said. “We have to pay for all the players a certain amount, and what have Real Madrid offered? We are asking money and they have to pay the money. In the last few years Manchester United has paid a lot of money and we never received a lot of money for our players.”
The Spanish goalkeeper was by far United’s best player last season, and was a major reason why they finished in the top 4. This summer though, has seen him constantly linked with a move to the Santiago Bernabeu to replace Iker Casillas, who left Madrid after 25 years to join FC Porto.
The Guardian reported yesterday that De Gea will not play against Spurs, with Argentine Sergio Romero in line for his United debut. Van Gaal gave a very detailed explanation on the dropping of his number 1, saying that he wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play for the side at the moment.
“We have seen in our training sessions and matches he is not the David de Gea of last year,” he said. “He tries, he does his upmost best, but it is a difficult situation. He cannot manage this situation. A human being is more than just a player and he cannot manage. So he will not play and you will have to wait to see who does. We have to play our first match, and this is the most important match, so I want players who can focus only on the match. He is not capable of doing that.”
United have made some great signings in the window, but haven’t had their way in the really big deals. Angel Di Maria was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for £44 million after just one season following his record £60 million move from Madrid. The club have also thus far failed in their pursuit of Sergio Ramos, and De Gea’s departure would only compound the misery.
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