The biggest news of transfer deadline day is that goalkeeper David De Gea will in fact remain at Manchester United, despite throughout the entire summer it seeming extremely unlikely that he will. The reasoning as to why the Spanish shot-stopper will remain at the club has caused a lot of friction between Manchester United and Real Madrid.
Manchester United statement summary
Manchester United released an official statement on the club website to clarify their position in the transfer saga. The statement claims that “no offer was received for David until yesterday” and that the club's preference was “not to sell”. The club statement continues to argue that the reason the deal didn’t take place is because, “Real Madrid didn’t upload David’s documents to the Spanish league in time”. The club rounds off the statement by claiming that they are “delighted that its fan-favourite double Player of the Year” remains a United player.
In essence the Manchester United statement is very quick to clear the club of any wrong doing and making it apparent that the mistakes were all caused by Real Madrid and there was no intentional foul play by Manchester United, in an attempt to stall the deal.
Where does this leave De Gea?
As a result of all this, David De Gea will in fact remain a Manchester United player for the foreseeable future and there is nothing Real Madrid can do about that. The Manchester United goalkeeper still is in contract until the summer with the Premier League club, but with rumours swirling that the club will make him sign a new contract if he wishes to play again this season, it has thrown any future movement towards Real Madrid more complicated for the Spaniard. Only time will tell if he stays or goes, but for now he is staying.
What will happen with the starting goalkeepers spot?
With Sergio Romero, Sam Johnstone, Victor Valdes and De Gea now all at the club the future first team goalkeeper relies solely on what happens with De Gea. If as it is believed he has to, signs a new contract then it is likely the star of the past two seasons for United will be given the starting spot. If however he remains inactive in the United side then it is a straight fight for the starting spot between Romero and Valdes. With Romero the current starter it is unlikely that Valdes will be straight into the side, so he will have to impress in training to have a chance of starting for United.
