Van Gaal confident of retaining De Gea amid Real speculation

Paul Hirst 04:12 23/05/2015
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  • Undecided: De Gea.

    Louis van Gaal is still optimistic of keeping star goalkeeper David de Gea at Manchester United. Real Madrid are interested in signing De Gea this summer and contract talks between United and the Spaniard have so far been unproductive.

    The 24-year-old waved to United fans as he left the pitch at Old Trafford last week after suffering an injury in the 1-1 draw against Arsenal.

    But Van Gaal hopes that does not mean De Gea was saying farewell to the club he joined four years ago.

    “I believe still that David de Gea shall stay,” the United manager said. De Gea is in contention to start the final match of the season at Hull on Sunday despite the hamstring injury he suffered against the Gunners.

    It is not just De Gea’s future that has been the source of speculation over the last few weeks. A number of players still have question marks over their futures.

    Robin van Persie, Anders Lindegaard, Rafael, Jonny Evans, Nani, Adnan Januzaj, James Wilson, Radamel Falcao, and Javier Hernandez all could be playing their football elsewhere next year – either on loan or permanently.

    Van Gaal has spoken to a number of them about their futures already and will conclude his talks over the weekend.

    “I shall talk with them maybe tomorrow,” Van Gaal said. “We have a farewell drink after the match. I have the Monday to talk, and I have already this week for some players to talk so I shall do that.

    “You have to wait and see how these talks develop in straying or going away.”

    Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney is available for the final match of the season at Hull City after missing the draw against Arsenal with a dead leg.

    “He is the captain so I can say he shall play,” Van Gaal said.

    Luke Shaw (concussion) and Michael Carrick (calf ) are expected to miss the match, which promises to be a tense affair because of Hull’s place in the bottom three.

    The only way Hull will survive is if they beat United and Newcastle drop points at home to West Ham.

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